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Playoff predictions: Which SJ County girls volleyball teams will make the playoffs?

shannon mia belt, the stockton record
·9 min read

On Oct. 20 the fate of San Joaquin County prep girls' volleyball teams will be determined as the Sac-Joaquin Section will hold the playoff seeding meeting.

For months teams have battled it out against familiar and unfamiliar foes all with the hopes of postseason play. Some shoo-in teams hailing from the 209 are St. Mary’s, Ripon, Ripon Christian, Lodi and Escalon. These six teams secure a spot in the SJS Top 25 heading into the final week of the regular season.

Arianna Frazier stands in the middle of the court as she reaches back to hit the volleyball into Linden’s court during the game at Linden High School in Linden, CA on Sept. 28, 2023.
Arianna Frazier stands in the middle of the court as she reaches back to hit the volleyball into Linden’s court during the game at Linden High School in Linden, CA on Sept. 28, 2023.

Ahead of the seeding meeting, the Record has decided to predict which teams will make the playoffs in their respective division.

The top four teams in the Southern Athletic, Trans Valley, and Valley Oak League will qualify for playoffs. In the Central California Athletic League, San Joaquin Athletic Association, Western Athletic Conference, and Tri-City Athletic League only the top three teams will make the playoffs.

Here is a breakdown of the playoff-bound teams on track to earn a spot in their division’s bracket. The first round of playoffs is set to start on Oct. 23.

Division 1

Franklin (22-17)

The Yellowjackets missed out on the playoffs last season but they won’t let that pattern continue. They currently sit in third place in the SJAA with a record of 8-4 and notable wins against Bear Creek and Edison. Leading Franklin’s offense is junior outside hitter Joyce Zamudio. Zamudio is up to 207 total kills and averaging close to three kills per set. She will need to kick into high gear in her team’s final two games against Edison and Weston Ranch to help the Yellowjackets return to the playoffs.

Lodi's Norah Mayer attempts a kill during the Flames game against St. Mary's at St. Mary's High school on Sept. 14, 2023.
Lodi's Norah Mayer attempts a kill during the Flames game against St. Mary's at St. Mary's High school on Sept. 14, 2023.

Lodi (17-9)

The Flames could end the season with a four-game winning streak if they can close out the regular season with a win over Tokay on Thursday. Even if Lodi drops that game it will still have a place in the Division I bracket as they are second place in the TCAL. With a 7-2 league record and a solid core of outside hitters, the Flames will look to make a deeper run in the playoffs this go-round. Last year they lost to St. Francis in the first round.

St. Mary’s Eliana Williams jumps to spike the ball onto the Flame’s court during the game at St. Mary’s High School in Stockton on Sept. 14, 2023.
St. Mary’s Eliana Williams jumps to spike the ball onto the Flame’s court during the game at St. Mary’s High School in Stockton on Sept. 14, 2023.

More: St. Mary's girls volleyball blows past Lodi in league play opener

St. Mary’s (26-2)

The top 209 girls' volleyball team this season is St. Mary’s. The Rams hold a perfect 9-0 TCAL record and an impressive 26-2 overall record. The only two teams to get the best of them this season were Valor Christian of Colorado and Saint Francis of Mountain View, CA. At this rate, the Rams will look to secure a blue banner after last season losing the championship game to St. Francis of Sacramento. St. Mary’s underclassmen Eliana Williams and Mckenna Mcintosh will be the go-tos during postseason play.

Tracy's Ellie Hernandez poses for a picture holding a volleyball with "1,000" written on it to reflect her surpassing 1,000 assists as a setter for the Bulldogs.
Tracy's Ellie Hernandez poses for a picture holding a volleyball with "1,000" written on it to reflect her surpassing 1,000 assists as a setter for the Bulldogs.

Tracy (14-14)

Earning the last playoff spot from the TCAL will be Tracy. The Bulldogs are currently ranked third in league with a record of 5-4. Some of their notable wins this season are against Downey, Lincoln and Tokay. Seniors Ellie Hernandez and Ling Han play an essential role in Tracy’s success with Hernandez leading the team in assists and aces. Han is the Bulldogs' best attacker averaging three kills per set. Their final game of the season will be Tuesday against West who has only won one game this season.

Division 2

Amya Cheatham - January jumps up to hit the ball back into Linden’s court scoring a point for the Bruins at Linden High School in Linden, CA on Sept. 28, 2023.
Amya Cheatham - January jumps up to hit the ball back into Linden’s court scoring a point for the Bruins at Linden High School in Linden, CA on Sept. 28, 2023.

Bear Creek (15-8)

The Bruins have a lot to look forward to as they are set to win the SJAA championship and will likely be the eighth or ninth seed in the Division 2 bracket. They have only lost one league game this season and hold an 11-1 record. A key behind their success is their cohesive offense led by seniors.

Louise Oliveira, Amya Cheatham-January, and Arianna Frazier are Bear Creek’s triple threats who play a big role offensively and defensively. Oliveira leads her team in kills with 173 total kills on a 3.4 kills per set average. Defensively, Cheatham-January is like a wall leading the Bruins in blocks with 41. Frazier is also a defense specialist who averages close to four digs per set and has 172 digs so far this season.

Ella Boysen bumps the ball into the air to keep the play going at Linden High School in Linden, CA on Sept. 28, 2023.
Ella Boysen bumps the ball into the air to keep the play going at Linden High School in Linden, CA on Sept. 28, 2023.

Linden (13-12)

Just two more games before Linden can avenge itself in the postseason after making it to the quarterfinals last year in the Division 2 bracket. With a 9-3 league record, the Lions secure a second-place standing and are preparing for a postseason run. Linden’s main weapon this season is senior Sydney Black who is ranked second in the SJS in hitting percentage. Black has 122 total kills on the season thanks to her clutch setter Ella Boysen. Boysen is ranked third in the section in assists racking up 313 so far this season.

More: Bear Creek girls volleyball remains top SJAA team after dramatic win over Linden

Manteca (16-10)

The Buffaloes hold a third-place ranking in the VOL with a league record of 6-3. After a short postseason appearance last year, Manteca is hoping to have better luck this year and a possible higher seeding. A big difference for the Buffaloes this season will be having a healthy Michaela Singh. Singh got injured right before the playoffs last year but she is ready to go now and has been leading her team’s offense. She is ranked 13th in the SJS in total kills with 263 total kills so far.

Division 3

East Union (15-17)

The Lancers are battling for the final playoff spot in the VOL alongside Oakdale. They are currently in fourth place with a 3-6 record compared to the Mustangs 2-6 record. Both teams are likely to lose their final league games but East Union has a better chance at pulling off the upset as Oakdale takes on the first-place team Central Catholic. The Lancers will take on Manteca and will look to senior middle blocker Mariela Navarro to lead them to victory. Navarro leads her team in kills, kills per set and total blocks.

Sophia Martin of Escalon girls' volleyball posses for a photo holding a volleyball for her senior pictures during the 2023-24 season.
Sophia Martin of Escalon girls' volleyball posses for a photo holding a volleyball for her senior pictures during the 2023-24 season.

Escalon (17-9)

After graduating its star outside hitter Emily Vikcers, Escalon found new stars to depend on this season. Seniors Sophia Martin and Vickers’ younger sister Macie Vickers are two of the Cougars' go-tos. Martin is the team’s led attacker averaging close to three kills per set for a total of 189 kills. Macie Vickers is Escalon’s defense specialist and digging machine. She has the second most total digs in the TVL with 241 digs. The duo has helped their team to a 7-2 league record and a second-place ranking in the TVL.

Lathrop (14-6)

Lathrop had a short Division 3 playoff run last year getting swept by Roseville in the first round. The Spartans are hoping this year is different as it sits in second place in the WAC with a 10-2 record. Their outside hitter duo of senior Janessa Ward and junior Elizabeth Andrade are keys to a more fruitful postseason appearance. Ward, who played in last year’s playoff game, is back this season racking up kills and aces. She has 109 total kills and 21 aces, the second most on the team. Andrade is leading Lathrop in kills and aces while also having the second-most digs on the team.

Mountain House (9-5)

The last playoff spot from the WAC belongs to the Mustangs who are ranked third in league with a record of 9-3. With Los Banos three games behind them, they will make its first playoff appearance since the 2019-20 season. The faces behind Mountain House’s success are sophomores Jenna Starks and Jaziz Gomez who led their team in kills and aces. Only three seniors are on the Mustangs roster this season thus putting their young squad to this test in the Division 3 bracket.

Sierra (18-9)

Sierra won’t be able to repeat last season’s VOL championship finish but it will still have a place in the Division 3 bracket. The Timberwolves will finish second in the VOL and currently have a 6-3 league record. They are the only team to beat the first-place team Central Catholic sweeping the Raiders 2-0.

Senior Zoe Kossart was on fire during that game leading Sierra in total kills with seven and making no attacking errors. The 5-foot-9 outside hitter is just one kill away from 200 and will look to surpass that in her team’s final regular season game against Kimball on Tuesday.

Division 4

Kaya Whittaker of Ripon girls volleyball sets the volleyball during one of the Indians matches in the 2023-24 season.
Kaya Whittaker of Ripon girls volleyball sets the volleyball during one of the Indians matches in the 2023-24 season.

Ripon (26-5)

With an unscathed TVL record of 8-0, Ripon is on track to win the TVL championship just a year after its arch-rival Escalon won it. The Indians have only lost five games all season and are currently on a three-game winning streak. This a good way to head into playoffs as Ripon is looking to go back-to-back as Division 4 champions.

Two players who have played key roles in helping the Indians accomplish this are sophomore Adriana Dorn and senior Reagan Wilkerson. Dorn leads the Indians in total kills with 234 while Wilkerson is their top server. The senior is ranked eighth in California in total aces with 110.

Venture Academy (6-9)

Venture Academy’s playoff fate will be decided on Wednesday after its matchup against Elliot Christian. The Mustangs hold a 4-4 CCAL record compared to the Eagles 3-5 league record. Both teams have a game ahead of Wednesday that could also dictate who secures the final qualifying spot from the CCAL. Venture Academy’s lead outside hitter Gloria Ramos will need to have a lights-out appearance in the final two games of the regular season. She averages the most kills per set for the Mustangs.

Division 5

Ripon Christian (26-5)

As the reigning SJS Division 5 champs, the Knights are on track to bring another blue banner back to Ripon. They are the third SJ County team to have a spotless league record of 10-0 in the SAL. Ripon Christian has two of the best offensive players in the section in seniors Jordan Vander Veen and Syndey Hoffman.

Vander Veen averages close to four kills per set and has a whooping 288 kills so far this season. Hoffman is also a stat stuffer as the Knights’ sharpest attacker. She is ranked first in the nation in hitting percentage landed over 50% of attacks. Ripon Christian will likely have the number one seed on the Division 5 level and is looking to make another deep playoff run.

Record reporter Shannon Belt covers sports. She can be reached at sbelt@recordnet.com or on Twitter @ShannonBelt3. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: See which SJ County girls volleyball teams will make the playoffs