Fresno, Calif.- In a dramatic CIF NorCal Division 2 playoff showdown, the #11 Cardinal Newman Volleyball squad rallied from a two-set deficit to complete an incredible reverse sweep, edging out #6 San Joaquin Memorial in a heart-stopping 27-29, 16-25, 25-20, 25-22, 15-13 victory. With clutch performances across the roster, the team showcased their resilience, grit, and unbreakable team chemistry in this unforgettable five-set classic.
Julia Waller serving for the Cardinals in Fresno
Leading the charge was junior Summer Binder, whose dominance at the net resulted in a stunning 24 kills. She was supported by fellow junior Cienna Alvarez, who recorded 14 kills and fired off four aces to keep the pressure on. Sophomore Zoë Bardis added a crucial 10 kills, while junior Julia Waller delivered an all-around performance with 11 kills, 22 assists, and 16 digs.
Junior setter Kimberly Wilson kept the offense fluid with an impressive 29 assists, and the defensive backbone was held strong by junior libero Giana Tamayo with 14 digs and junior Elizabeth Danley with 11 digs, both of whom were essential in holding the team together during the tense back-and-forth exchanges.
"It was an amazing performance coming back from 0-2 and doing a reverse sweep," said Head Coach Daryl Kapis. "It really showed how much heart and great team chemistry we have."
The team's defensive prowess shined through, with Senior Julia Waller praising her teammates for their tenacity. "I'm super proud of the whole team for working super hard to fight back after losing the first two sets," she said. "Our back players did an amazing job keeping us in system. I'm super excited to move on to our next match against Buchanan in Clovis."
With this thrilling victory, the Cardinals advance to face #3 seed Buchanan High in Clovis, Thursday at 6PM.
The win tonight is the first CIF/State victory in program history!
