The562’s coverage of high school volleyball in 2024-2025 is brought to you by the MLP’s Bay Area Breakers.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.
Long Beach Poly junior Georgia Camandang stands just 4-foot-10. But the Jackrabbits back row and serve specialist stood much taller than that in terms of importance to her team during Poly’s CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinal match against St. Joseph on Wednesday night. Camandang served up five aces and won 11 points for her team on balls she served. She was the spearhead of an impressive serve-and-pass effort from the Jackrabbits in their dominant sweep of the Jesters, 25-14, 25-19, 25-17.
“There was a lot of talk before the game about who’s the best team in Long Beach and Lakewood, for us getting to play them in the quarterfinals was a really big opportunity to show what Long Beach Poly is now,” said Poly coach Gerald Aquiningoc. “I think we made a statement tonight, and I’m really proud of the girls. We’re getting better at the right time.”
It was Poly’s eighth straight sweep including three straight to open the playoffs. While some of their matches have been dominated by big sets and swings from middle blockers Kristen Dear and Layla Moore, it was a complete team effort on Wednesday. The biggest advantage Poly had was in their serve and pass approach, piling up 12 aces (16% of their total points won) while also passing well enough to give setters Hannah Ballungay (15 assists) and Lauren Foster-Elisara (11 assists) multiple options on almost every ball.
Libero Sydney Mercado (seven digs), outside Cedra Talaga (seven digs) and outside Aleeya Salima (four digs) combined to pass a 2.5 rating, meaning their setters consistently had multiple options.
“We put a lot of emphasis on the serve and pass battle,” said Aquiningoc. “If we can win that we’re going to win eight out of 10 times. We learned last year we can’t just rely on Kristen and Layal, because there’s going to be times when we have to prepare for bad weather. We’ve put focus on our first touch, and getting everyone involved. Kristen and Layla raise their game, because they’re always there when we need them.”
The middles had 10 total kills and seven total blocks, and were buoyed by six kills from Talaga, five from Emma Holder, four from Larissa Foster-Elisara, and three from Salima. Six Jackrabbits had between three and six kills, a remarkable spread. Five Jackrabbits also recorded an ace with Mercado putting down three and Salima dropping a pair.
Camandang said she works tirelessly on her serve, which rises up quickly from her release point, and then falls off a table as it approaches a passer.
“Coach Gerald has really helped me perfect it, and he’s pushed me to serve really hard and be the best I can, and not be afraid,” said Camandang. “This is a really big win. Everyone was super excited because last year we were in this place and we ended up losing. This is a big accomplishment.”
Talaga said she enjoyed playing in a loud gym with a lot of fans on hand for the local matchup, which featured several Long Beach Mizuno club players on both teams.
“It’s fun playing so many girls we know on the other side, it makes it more competitive,” said Talaga. “We wanted to make a statement tonight and that really fueled us.”
Talaga praised the senior leadership the Jackrabbits have enjoyed during this playoff run.
“We have some great seniors who really want it, and we’re all kind of just playing for them,” she said.
Poly clinched a CIF State berth with the win, as well as a spot in Saturday’s semifinal round, where they’ll travel to Windward for a 6pm match. Should the Jackrabbits advance the championship would be the following weekend, on Nov. 9.
