CIFSDS Volleyball: Triplett, Vaqueros gain D-1 top seed

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: October 23, 2023

2023 EAST COUNTY GIRLS PREP VOLLEYBALL

ECS staff report

Madison Triplett

LAKESIDE — Madison Triplett, who led her Coast Volleyball Club team to third place in the final USAVB national rankings this past summer, will leadn her El Capitan Vaqueros in the this week’s opening of the CIF San Diego Section championships.

The Vaqueros *24-7 overall),coming off their sixth consecutive Grossmont Hills League crown with an undefeated record last week at 10-0, are seeded, are the top seeds in Division I.

El Capitan’s first-round opponent will be the 16th-seeded Caimans of Classical Academy. The match will be held at historic Foster Gym on Wednesday (Oct. 25), starting at 7 p.m.

The victor will advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals date of the winner between No. 9 Santa Fe Christian and No. 8 La Jolla. BRACKET

Triplett, a senior outside hitter, is expecdted to capture her second staight GHL player of the year award, which will be officially announced at the conclusion of the postseason. The UC Santa Barbara bound standout is also anticipated tobe the first three-time East County player of the year honoree.

Division I

Also in Division I, No. 12 seed Granite Hills will travel to No. 5 Del Norte (west side of Interstate 15 at Rancho Bernardo).

Division II

The Helix Highlanders are the No. 1 seeds in CIFSDS Division II.

This pool of 16 teams opens play on Tuesday (Oct. 24), with GHL runner-up Helix gaining the top seed.

The Highlanders (22-8 overall, 8-2 GHL) fell one set short of sharing the league title after falling in a 5-set thriller to El Capitan on Oct. 5 at Caledonia Gym in La Mesa.

The Vaq Attack avoided the upset after trailing 2-0 to take the tie-breaker set, 15-12. Triplett finished with 18 kills, while teammate Savannah Simpson, a junior, added 15.

The Scotties’ opening opponent will be Chula Vista Community Learning. The winner moves to Friday’s quarterfinals against the victor between No.9 University City and No. 8 Fallbrook.

Other area clubs finds: No. 13 Patrick Henry at No. 4 Our Lady of Peace in the upp[er bracket.

The lower bracket finds No. 7 Christian entertaining No. 10 Mater Dei Catholic at Ryan Center, while No. 15 Valhalla (third in the GHL) traveling to No. 2 Pacific Ridge.

Interestingly, should the Eastern League co-champion Patriots (26-7) upset the Firebirds (19-10), the bracket should open up and allow Christian to gain an opportunity to meet Helix in the title match. The squads were slated to meet this season, however, Christian elected to forfeit and the match was not played.

Should Christian sweep its four CIFSDS postseason matches, they would establish a school single-season record with 30 victories.

Division III

(9) El Centro-Central at (8) Steele Canyon, Wed., 7 p.m.
(11) West Hills at (6) Mission Hills, Wed., 7 p.m.
(12) Santana at (5) Mission Bay, Wed., 7 p.m.