Paloma at home Tuesday for CIF state volleyball match

The Paloma Valley High School girls volleyball team played before a packed house Saturday in the CIF-SS finals. Photo by Kristi Jo Aguirre

The Paloma Valley High School girls volleyball team will extend its postseason run Tuesday at 5 p.m. with a home match against Grace Brethren High of Simi Valley in the first round of the CIF State Division 3 tournament.

The Wildcats (26-7) lost in four sets to Ontario Christian before a home capacity crowd Saturday night in the CIF Southern Section Division 5 championship match. Based on their overall success this season, however, Paloma has a chance to compete for a state title. The five-round state tournament culminates in the state championship round, scheduled for Nov. 16-17 at Santiago Canyon College in Orange.

Paloma Valley was led in kills Saturday night by Channa Hart (12), Gabby Hollins (11) and Madison Anderson (10), while libero Kayla Thompson had 16 digs. Hollins leads the team with 315 kills this season, followed by Hart (208) and Anderson (200). Melanie Maclin leads with 62 blocks and Jayde Shelton has 53.

Grace Brethren brings in a 22-3 record to the match, including a sweep of The Archer School in the CIF Southern Section Division 6 championship match by scores of 25-21, 25-14, 25-14. The Lancers are led by 5-foot-11 junior Calista Wright (261 kills), 6-foot senior Cali McCoy (232 kills) and 5-foot-8 senior Hannah Barnes (231 kills).