Broncos lead 19 teams to CIF-SS quarterfinals today
Vista Murrieta was 1 of 10 teams selected to compete in the Division 1 bracket. The Broncos also received a bye in the opening round of the playoffs, which extended their layoff three additional days.
Today’s match pits two of the best teams in the state. Lakewood (24-3) is the No. 3 seed in the division after going unbeaten in the Moore League. The Lancers have won 18 straight matches. Vista Murrieta (19-8) captured the Southwestern League title and finished No. 6 in the rankings.
The match also will feature two of the state’s most dynamic offensive players: Vista Murrieta’s junior outside hitter Claire Little, and Lakewood’s senior opposite hitter Laura Williams.
Vista Murrieta already has secured a CIF State playoff berth by virtue of being selected for the Division 1 bracket. Eighteen other Inland teams can join the Broncos with a victory today.
Ontario Christian (26-14) looks to extend its impressive postseason winning streak to 23 matches when it plays host to No. 2-seeded Palos Verdes (24-7) in a Division 2 quarterfinal match.
The Baseline League was the strongest league in the Inland area this season, so it’s no surprise it has three teams in the quarterfinals. League champion Upland (23-4) hosts No. 2-seeded JSerra (25-4) in a Division 3 match. Etiwanda (20-7) hosts No. 3 seed Orange Lutheran (24-9) in another Division 3 match. Chino Hills (16-14) is the No. 3 seed in Division 5 and hosts Warren (18-4).
Santiago (22-8) hosts No. 4 seed El Toro (15-7) in Division 3, while Redlands (24-5) travels to No. 2 seed Mayfield (29-10) in Division 5. Serrano (23-4) outlasted No. 2 seed Dos Pueblos in a Division 4 second-round match Saturday and now travels to Saugus (20-5-2) for the quarterfinals.
In Division 6, West Valley (16-7) hosts No. 4 seed South Hills (17-7), and Barstow (22-6) heads to Irvine (12-15). Hillcrest (15-4) is the No. 4 seed in Division 7 and plays at Lancaster (193-1).
Big Bear (20-4) is the No. 4 seed in Division 8 and hosts Temecula Prep (21-5), and Moreno Valley (12-9) hosts No. 2 seed WiseburnDa Vinci (23-5) in another Division 8 quarterfinal.
United Christian Academy (19-1) is the No. 1 seed in Division 9 and hosts Silver Valley (19-2). Three more Inland teams remain alive in the Division 9 bracket. La Verne Lutheran (14-6) hosts Santa Monica Pacifica Christian (19-9), Lakeside (11-6) travels to No. 3 seed Tarbut V’Torah (6-2) and Cal Lutheran (15-10) heads to Catalina Island to face No. 2 seed Avalon (22-4).