Santa Rosa, CA — The Cardinal Newman volleyball team continued their strong postseason run with a decisive 3-0 victory over Freedom High School in the North Coast Section (NCS) Quarterfinals on Saturday night. The Cardinals showcased their offensive and defensive prowess, winning in straight sets with scores of 25-14, 25-20, and 25-13.
With the win, Cardinal Newman improves their season record to 27-7 and moves on to the NCS Semifinals, where they will face University High School of San Francisco, a formidable team with a 20-8 record and an undefeated record in the Bay Counties Weat League.
Top Performers Shine
Junior outside hitter Cienna Alvarez led the Cardinals' offense, delivering a powerful performance with 13 kills and just two errors, finishing with an impressive .423 hitting percentage. Alvarez's ability to find gaps in Freedom's defense helped set the tone early in the match.
Sophomore outside hitter Zoe Bardis contributed nine kills with only one error, achieving a remarkable .470 hitting percentage. Bardis has been a key player for the Cardinals this season, and her consistency in this quarterfinal match kept the Cardinals in control.
Senior outside hitter Julia Waller also made a strong impact, recording nine kills and just two errors, resulting in an exceptional .500 hitting percentage. Waller's experience and leadership were evident, particularly in high-stakes moments, and she was instrumental in maintaining Cardinal Newman's momentum throughout the match.
Setting up the Cardinals' offensive attack was Kimmy Wilson, who led the team with 23 assists and five aces. Wilson's serves kept Freedom on the defensive, and her precision in setting allowed her hitters to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Julia Waller contributed 14 assists of her own, showing her versatility and court awareness.
Next Up: University High School
Cardinal Newman will face the University High Red Devils in the NCS Semifinals on Wednesday, November 6th, at 7:00 PM. University, coming off a 3-0 sweep of College Park in their quarterfinal match-up, has been a dominant force in their league, and Wednesday's game promises to be a thrilling battle between two skilled teams.
The Cardinals will have the advantage of home-court support in their pursuit of an NCS Championship berth. Fans can expect an exciting night of volleyball as these two teams clash in what should be a tightly contested semifinal.
