Girls Volleyball (2024-2025)

Panthers Season Comes to an End, Lose to Wildcats 3-1

November 2, 2024—On a Saturday evening with a lot on the line for the Varsity Girl’s Volleyball team, the Panthers traveled down Highway 580 to take on a team that has recently had their number in the Marin Academy Wildcats with hopes of not only finally beating this program, but also punching a ticket to the North Coast Section (NCS) Division II Semifinal Round.

However, it would not be the Panthers’ night as they would fall to the Wildcats by a score of 3-1 (23-25, 11-25, 27-25, 11-25). The first set of the game proved be a difference maker in the matchup as the Panthers had an opportunity to close out the Wildcats with a 23-20 lead until the Wildcats scored 5 straight points to win that set by the score of 25-23. The Wildcats would then use that momentum to dominate the second set by the score of 25-11, setting themselves up for a sweep of the Panthers. However, the Panthers would show signs of life by winning a extremely close third set by the score of 27-25, but it would be too little, too late as the Wildcats would then take the fourth and final set by the score of 25-11, ending the Panthers season.

Despite the loss, the Panthers would finish the season off with 24 wins, including the programs first ever NCS Division II playoff win. The team will also have a lot to look forward to next season as they will return a lot of key players that will look towards finally climbing that mountain top and bring home a section title back to Peralta Park.

Congratulations on a great season, Panthers.

Panthers Sweep Mustangs to Advance to NCS Quarterfinals

October 30, 2024—As the Varsity Girl’s Volleyball team embarked on their journey towards a North Coast Section (NCS) Championship title, they showed no disappointment in their play whatsoever as they would sweep the San Marin Mustangs in the first round of the NCS Division 2 Playoffs (27-25, 25-21, 25-21). Even though the scoreboard showed otherwise, this matchup closely contested as the margin of victory for the Panthers in each set was extremely slim. Nonetheless, they proved to be the better team and, therefore, have earned their trip to the NCS DII Quarterfinal Round this coming Saturday.

The Panthers got strong performances from their veteran players including Senior, Dallas Faafiu, and Junior, Kalaya Phung. In addition, Sophomores, London Crawford and Corinne Jones; as well as the Freshmen trio of Lucia Parsons, Sophia Seiden, and Jocelyn Martinez had a fair share of kills and digs that were pivotal for the Panthers on their way to victory.

The Panthers will now travel to San Rafael this Saturday, November 2^nd, to take on a very familiar opponent in the Marin Academy Wildcats. The Panthers and the Wildcats squared off against each other earlier in the season where the Wildcats prevailed by the score of 3-1. The Panthers will not only look for revenge, but also look forward to the possibility of punching a ticket to the NCS DII Semifinals. This match is scheduled for a 7:00pm start time.

Panthers Edged Out By Bruins in TCAL Championship Game

October 23, 2024—On what was going to be one of the biggest games of the year, the Varsity Girls Volleyball team traveled to Vallejo, California, to take on the #1 seeded St. Patrick-St. Vincent (SPSV) Bruins in what was hope to not only be an opportunity for the Panthers to exact revenge against the Bruins for their two losses against them in regular season, but to also capture the programs second Tri County Athletic League (TCAL) Tournament Title in three seasons.

However, even though there is a firm belief that it is difficult to beat a team three times in a season, the Bruins would not buy into it as they would top the Panthers by the score of 3-1 (21-25, 22-25, 28-26, 21-25) and win the TCAL Tournament Title for the second straight season.

Even though the Bruins beat the Panthers in 4 games, the scores of the games are a true indicator of how close these two teams were. The difference in the game though would be that the Bruins were able to extend plays to earn the necessary points they needed to repel the Panthers.

Despite the defeat, the Panthers will continue their postseason as they will qualify for the North Coast Section (NCS) Playoffs that will begin next week. The Panthers will find out their fate this Sunday, October 27^th, on who they will play and when. Good luck Panthers.

October 21, 2024—In the semifinals match in the Tri County Athletic League (TCAL) tournament Monday evening, the Varsity Girl’s Volleyball team traveled to the #2 seeded Albany High School Cougars.

The Panthers split the regular season with the Cougars with both teams winning their respective home contests.  Panthers defeated the Cougars on September 18th on Hagler Court in a very close 5 game match by the score of 3-2 (25-12, 22-25, 25-16, 20-25, 15-6).  The Cougars would then return the favor on October 7th by defeating the Panthers in similar fashion by the score of 3-2 (21-25, 19-25, 25-22. 25-20, 15-17), setting up this league semifinal matchup to be a highly anticipating one.

Tonight, the Panthers opened up the match on a pretty strong note.  They attacked the ball pretty frequently and, in the end, won the first game by the score of 25-22.  In the second game, with the Cougars still shocked from game 1, the Panthers took full advantage, taking home the win 25-15 in the second game. 

The Panthers have struggled putting away teams this season and continued that trend in game 3 against the Cougars, where Albany would ultimately take that game by the score of 17-25.  

In game 4, Saint Mary's would build a comfortable lead going up early, 10-5.  The Cougars would provide a resilient response to keep things close, but in the end, Saint Mary's proved be too much for the Cougars as they would take game 4 by the score of 25-18, winning 3-1.

Saint Mary's will now prepare for SPSV on Wednesday, October 23rd.  The Panthers will travel to Vallejo to take on the Bruins at 7pm, looking for not only revenge but also their second league tournament title in the last three years.

Panthers Top Spartans, Advance to TCAL Semifinals vs. Albany

October 16, 2024—In the first-round match in the Tri County Athletic League (TCAL) tournament Wednesday evening, the Varsity Girl’s Volleyball team played host to the Pinole Valley Spartans at Hagler Court. The Panthers and Spartans squared off against each other just under a week ago where the Panthers won the match by the score of 3-1. As a matter fact, this time around proved to be a repeat of their previous matchup as the Panthers would sweep the Spartans 3-0 (25-20, 25-9, 25-8) in dominant fashion.

The first set was the only close one between the two teams as both teams would trade off points until the Panthers would find a rhythm late in the first set to not only win it, but to also use that momentum the rest of the way. In fact, the Panthers would outscore the opponent by a score of 75-37 in the entire match.

The Panthers were led by a variety of players such as the Senior trio of Sasha Bartel, Kameron Bazile, and Dallas Faafiu as the three would have fantastic serves & aces, key blocks, and multiple kills respectively. The sophomore duo of London Crawford and Corinne Jones proved to be dynamic as they would get in on the action with impressive kills themselves. Lastly, the freshmen trio of Jocelyn Martinez, Lucia Parsons, and Sophia Seiden would have impressive serves, aces, and digs to give their team valuable points throughout the matchup.

The Panthers will now turn their attention to the TCAL Semifinal matchup where they will travel crosstown to take on a longtime foe in the Albany Cougars. The semifinal match is scheduled for Monday, October 21^st, at 7:00pm at Albany High School. The winner of this matchup will play in the TCAL Championships scheduled for Wednesday, October 23^rd.  Good luck Panthers.

Panthers Sweep Titans on Senior Night

October 9, 2024—On a warm Wednesday evening on Hagler Court, the Varsity Girl’s Volleyball team played host to the Hercules Titans in the second to last Tri County Athletic League contest of the regular season. In addition, this would also be Senior Night for the Panthers as they honored seven Senior players prior to start of the match. Seniors Alexandra Blatney, Sasha Bartel, Melissa Perez, Pilar Silbelus, Dallas Faafiu, Mina Jones, and Kameron Bazile were all recognized for their four years of hard work and dedication to the volleyball program.

Following the pregame festivities, the Panthers would eventually cap off the Senior Night celebration with a sweep of the Titans by the score of 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-15). However, it would not be an easy sweep as the Panthers found themselves down early in the second set by the score of 11-0 until they roared back to win the set by three points. As fitting as it was for this evening, it would be the Seniors that would propel the Panthers to victory, especially with the strong play from Kameron Bazile, Sasha Bartel, and Dallas Faafiu. Senior, Pilar Silbelus, would also play a pivotal role in the match as she would record multiple points to help the Panthers achieve victory.

The Panthers will now prepare for the final home game of the regular season as they will play host to the Pinole Valley Spartans on Friday, October 11^th, at Hagler Court.  The matchup is set for 7:00pm.

Panthers Lose Closely Contested Match to Bruins

September 25, 2024—In a highly anticipated Tri County Athletic League (TCAL) matchup at Hagler Court on Wednesday evening, the Varsity Girl’s Volleyball team hosted the Saint Patrick-St. Vincent Bruins, looking for revenge from their first matchup in Vallejo where the Panthers lost to the Bruins by the score of 3-1.

This second meeting proved be quite the back-and-forth affair as the Bruins and Panthers would trade blows with the Bruins winning the first set (25-18) and then the Panthers responding to take the second set (25-13) to make this showdown a best of 3. In the third set, it would be the Panthers building carrying over their second set dominance to win the set by the score of 25-14, needing just one more set victory to claim the match. However, the Bruins would regroup and respond in the fourth set to win by the score of 25-14, forcing the match to the fifth and final set. In the final set, it would be the Bruins would control it as they would jump to a 14-10 lead over the Panthers. However, the Panthers would not give in as they would rattle off five straight points to take the lead 15-14, needing one more point to win. However, it would be the Bruins who would respond, yet again, to win the final set by the score of 17-15, and the match by the score of 3-2.

The Panthers got a strong effort from a variety of their players. Senior, Sasha Bartel, was a force serving the ball as she would record 7 aces on the evening. In addition, her fellow classmates, Dallas Faaifu and Kameron Bazile, were a force around the net as both would record multiple blocks and kills. Junior standout, Kalaya Phung, who has been one of the more consistent players for the Panthers this season, record multiple kills on the evening as well. Sophomores, Neala O’Sullivan and London Crawford, performed extremely well as Sullivan had a fair share of blocks and kills at the net, and Crawford had a stretch of aces in 5^th set to give the Panthers a great chance to complete the comeback. Lastly, the Freshmen trio of Lucia Parsons, Jocelyn Martinez, and Sofia Seiden played major roles with successful serves and critical digs to help the Panthers achieve a plethora of their points.

The Panthers will now have a few days off prior to hosting their longtime rival, the Salesian Pride, on Monday, September 30th. The Panthers took the first matchup between the two programs where they defeated the Pride by the score of 3-1 and will look to complete the regular season sweep. Monday’s match is scheduled for 7:00pm.

Panthers Top Cougars in Pivotal Crosstown Battle

September 18, 2024—In a packed Hagler Court on the campus of Saint Mary’s College High School, the Varsity Girl’s Volleyball team played host to their longtime crosstown rival, the Albany High Cougars, in what would become a very closely contested Tri County Athletic League (TCAL) matchup. Eventually, it would be the Panthers that would come out on the winning end of it, defeating the Cougars in 5 games in this back-and-forth affair.

The Panthers would dominate the opening set by the score of 25-12, but then the Cougars would respond in the second set to even the matchup at one game apiece. The third set is where the Panthers would regain the momentum as they would the set by the score of 25-16, pushing the Cougars to the brink. However, the Cougars would have none of it as they would come out on fire in the fourth set, propelling them to a 25-20 victory, and extending the match to the fifth and final set.

However, it would be the Panthers that would dominate the final set as they would go on to win the set by the score of 15-6 and taking the match over their crosstown rival by the score of 3-2.

The Panthers will no transition into non-league play as they will travel across town to take on the Berkeley High Yellow Jackets. Both teams met at Hagler Court last season where the Yellowjackets beat the Panthers by the score of 3-1 in a highly anticipated contest, setting up what should yet be another highly anticipated rematch between the two programs. The match is set for 7:00pm.

Panthers Overcome 2-0 Deficit to Beat Benecia 3-2

September 13, 2024—On a Friday evening on the campus of Benecia High School, the Varsity Volleyball team took on the Benecia High Panthers in a competitive Panthers vs. Panthers nonleague showdown. In the early stages of the contest, it would be the Panthers of Benecia that would have the early advantage by snagging the first two sets by the score of 21-25 & 22-25 respectively.

With their backs against the wall heading into the third set, it would be the Panthers of Saint Mary’s who would have the resilient response not only claiming the third set by the score of 25-17 but completing one heck of a comeback by winning the fourth and fifth set by the scores of 25-20 & 15-13, clinching their victory in a critical non-league showdown.

The Panthers will now return to TCAL league action when they play host to the Pinole Valley Spartans on Monday, September 16^th, at Hagler Court. The match is set for 7:00pm.

Panthers Return to Win Column; Defeat Pride 3-1

September 11, 2024—In what turned out to be a pivotal early season Tri County Athletic League (TCAL) game for the Varsity Girl’s Volleyball team, the Panthers would answer that bell in great fashion as they would defeat their historic rival, the Salesian Pride, by the score of 3-1 (25-19, 14-25, 25-19, 25-21) and return to .500 in TCAL play.

However, this victory did not come easy for the Panthers as both they and the Pride were deadlocked at 1 game apiece following the second set of the match, but the Panthers would eventually pull away and claim the third and fourth sets to earn the victory.

Junior, Gabriella Martinez, and the Sophomore duo of London Crawford and Corinne Jones played exceptionally well to help the team earn this much needed win.

The Panthers will now head into non-league play as they will travel to Benicia High School this Friday, September 13^th, to take on the Panthers. The match is scheduled for 7:00pm.

Panthers Fall Short to Bruins in TCAL Action; 3-1

September 9, 2024—In their first Tri County Athletic League (TCAL) matchup of the 2024 season, the Varsity Girl’s Volleyball team traveled to Vallejo to take on the St. Patrick-St. Vincent Bruins in a critical easy season game. However, it would not be the Panthers night as the Bruins would defeat the Panthers by the score of 3-1 (18-25, 17-25, 25-21, 24-26).

The Panthers would drop the first two sets to trail the Bruins by the score of 2-0. However, the Panthers would win the third set to cut the deficit in half to 2-1, and to extend the game to a fourth set. The fourth set proved to be a back-and-forth affair between these two TCAL rivals, but it would be the Bruins who ultimately found a way to come out on top to secure the victory.

Despite the loss, the Panthers got a strong effort by Sophomore, Corinne Jones, who recorded multiple kills on the evening, especially in that third set to help the Panthers extend the match. Freshman, Jocelyn Martinez, would also have a good game as well to help the Panthers score key points during the contest.

The Panthers will now turn the page in preparation for their next TCAL matchup against longtime rival, the Salesian Pride. The match is set for Wednesday, September 11^th, at 7:00pm at Salesian High School.

Panthers Drop 2^nd Straight Game to Jayhawks

September 5, 2024—In their home opening matchup of the 2024 season, the Varsity Girls Volleyball played host to the Head Royce Jayhawks. A team that not only is one of the top programs in the North Coast Section (NCS), but also a team that the Panthers are very familiar with as they were defeated by the Jayhawks in last year’s NCS Quarterfinal matchup.

Even though the Panthers had aspirations for both revenge and to return to the win column, those aspirations would fall short as the Jayhawks would sweep the Panthers by the score of   3-0. Despite the loss, the Panthers got strong performances from a variety of their players especially from the Senior trio of Dallas Faafiu, who recorded multiple blocks and three kills, Kameron Bazile, who recorded four blocks of her own, and Sasha Bartel, who had a handful of great serves that led to points for the Panthers. Also, the Junior duo of Kalaya Phung and Gabriella Martinez were sharp as Kalaya did what she normally does by recording seven kills on the evening, and Gabriella recorded two aces and four digs. Lastly, Freshman standout, Sofia Seiden, would also record five digs on the night as well.

The Panthers will now look to return to their winning ways when the travel to American Canyon High School for tournament play this Saturday, September 5^th, at 8:30am.

Panthers Can’t Top Wildcats in Highly Anticipated Early Season Matchup

August 30, 2024—On a Friday evening in San Rafael, California, the Varsity Girl’s Volleyball team hit the road for the second straight game to take on the Marin Academy Wildcats. This was an early season matchup featuring two of the top programs in the North Coast Section (NCS). In fact, the Panthers are coming off a 2023 season where they qualified for the NCS playoffs for the 3^rd consecutive year, whereas the Wildcats are coming off a 2023 campaign where they not only made the NCS playoffs for the 3^rd consecutive year as well, but also finished as runner-ups in the CIF State Title game. Therefore, this matchup had a lot to offer.

However, despite their strong effort throughout the match, the Panthers would fall short to the Wildcats in four sets, losing by the score of 3-1 (19-25, 25-20, 15-25, 19-25). Despite the loss, the Panthers got a strong showing by Junior, Kalaya Phung, and Freshman, Sofia Seiden, helping the Panthers stay in the match as long as they could.

The Panthers will now turn their attention towards their home opener when they take on the defending NCS Division IV Champions, the Head Royce Jayhawks. This matchup will also be one where the Panthers look for revenge as they were eliminated by the Jayhawks in the Quarterfinal Round of the NCS Playoffs a season ago. This exciting early season matchup is set for Thursday, September 5^th, at 7:00pm.

Panthers’ Open 2024-2025 Campaign With Victory in Alameda

August 23, 2024--On a nice Friday evening on the campus of Alameda High School, the Varsity Girl's Volleyball team opened up their 2024-2025 campaign with a victory over the Alameda Hornets by the score of 3-1 (16-25, 25-9, 25-23, 25-18). Despite losing the first set, the Panthers would show quite the resiliency that they are known for under the leadership of 4th-year head coach, Chris Martinez, by dominating the next three sets to secure their season opening win.

The Panthers received contributions from both their reliable and well known veterans in Junior, Kalaya Phung, and Seniors, Kameron Bazile and Dallas Faafiu; as well as from their talented Freshmen in the form of Jocelyn Martinez and Sofia Seiden in the match, showcasing a very complete Panthers team with a lot of strength up and down their roster.

The Panthers will look to start 2-0 on the season when they resume action on Friday, August 30th, when they travel to San Rafael to take on last year's CIF State Runner-Ups in the Marin Academy Wildcats, making this early season match up a very exciting one involving a lot of talent from both programs. The match is scheduled for a 7:00pm start.