Brackets

On the heels of winning a share of their first South Cost Conference championship since 1997, the Cerritos College volleyball team has been seeded #6 for the Southern California Regional Playoffs. The Falcons (18-3), who are making their second consecutive postseason appearance, will host #11-seeded Grossmont College (19-8), who finished in a three-way tie for second place in the Pacific Coast Conference. It'll be the first meeting against the Griffins since a three-set loss at the San Diego Mesa Tournament in 2012. The Falcons are also looking for their first playoff win since they defeated Golden West College in three sets in 2005. The teams have played six common opponents, with the Falcons going 6-1 against them, with Grossmont posting a 4-3 record.

Cerritos is led by an experienced group of sophomores, which include Sydney May, who was voted the SCC South Division Most Valuable Player. Also earning 1st Team all-conference recognition include Jasmine Soto-Castro, Leeya Rubio and Monserrat Rodriguez, who are all sophomores. A trio of sophomores were voted 2nd Team all-conference and include Lillianna Peterson, Priscilla Castillo and Brisa Cortez. Head coach Kari Hemmerling received her first Coach of the Year honor, as well.

May has been a dual threat, as she leads the team with 233 kills, while she has added 274 assists and 129 digs. Rodriguez, who played at Long Beach City College in 2022, is second on the team with 210 kills, to go along with a team-high 45 service aces and has added 145 digs. Soto-Castro is a two-time 1st Team selection and has turned in another great all-around year. She has recorded 156 kills with 161 digs, which are both third on the team, while Rubio was a 2nd Team selection her freshman year. She leads the team with 434 assists and has been effective in the back row with 159 digs. Also a threat at the net, Rubio has contributed 26 kills with just one error and a .595 kill percentage.

One of the most improved players from last season, Peterson has made the most of her opportunities off the bench. She is fourth on the team with 153 kills, which includes a season-high 16 against El Camino College. Castillo leads the team from the back row with 270 digs and has recorded 58 assists and 18 services aces. Through the regular season, Cortez has recorded 75 kills and ranks second with 37 total blocks, along with 84 digs and 19 assists.

Grossmont, who enters the playoffs on a three-match winning streak, has been paced by Andrea Turner with her 265 kills, along with 93 digs and 27 blocks, with Alyssa DeYoung contributing 198 kills to go with 44 total blocks. Freshman setter Norma Ramirez leads the offense with 709 assists, with Daisy Ekeya strong at the net with 140 kills and 85 blocks.