Pintos advance to semifinals

California advanced to the semifinals of the Class 3 District 9 Tournament after defeating Buffalo Oct. 22, 2018, in two sets.
California advanced to the semifinals of the Class 3 District 9 Tournament after defeating Buffalo Oct. 22, 2018, in two sets.

The California Pintos volleyball advanced to the semi-finals of the Class 3 District 9 Tournament with a two-set victory Oct. 22 over Buffalo.

California won the first set 25-15 and the second set 25-11. The Pintos' next game will be at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24 against Blair Oaks in the semi-finals. Blair Oaks gave the Pintos their first loss of the season back on Sept. 13.

The Pintos were in control the whole match against Buffalo, as they crusied to a double-digit win in the first set. In the second set, the Pintos again got off to a quick start, as they took a 4-0 lead. Buffalo made it 4-1, before the Pintos won 10 points-in-a-row to make it a 14-1 game. Buffalo then earned two points-in-a-row to make it 14-3. But, California won five of the next eight points to build a 19-6 lead.

The Pintos held Buffalo to single digits, as both teams traded points, until Buffalo broke into the double digits, as they made it a 22-10 game. California finished off the match, by winning three of the next four points.

Head coach Julie Bailey said the team came out strong.

"I was just happy to see us come out strong and play at our level, Because, sometimes we go up and down," Bailey said. "We played both sets in a dominant way."

Bailey said that playing districts at home makes a huge difference.

"We have great fans from the high school that come and support our girls and that gets them pumped up and exicted to play."

Bailey said that the team has to be ready for the good teams, they will see from now on.

"Blair Oaks is a good team and, from this point forward, we are only going to see good teams; and so we have to come out and believe that we can win and play with them," Bailey said. "If we play like we did today, it will be a good game."