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.
The Long Beach Poly girls’ volleyball team is just one win away from the program’s third-ever CIF Southern Section championship. The Jackrabbits will face Bishop Diego on Saturday at Cerritos College at 3pm for the Division 3 CIF-SS title–you can purchase tickets by clicking the link below.
The Cardinals (27-7) will post a tall task for the Jackrabbits (27-12)–literally. The team is led by 6-2 outside hitter Eliana Urzua, a UCLA committed senior, as well as Loyola Marymount commit Nicole Schuetz.
“They’re a formidable opponent, they’re physical on the outside and they have a good record after playing some tough teams,” said Poly coach Gerald Aquiningoc.
Bishop Diego is making the trip down from Santa Barbra thanks to a four-set semifinal win over Cypress. The team also boasts setter Karina Urzua, Eliana’s younger sister.
The Jackrabbits arrive at the CIF-SS championship match after winning an all-time classic in the semifinals last Saturday, unseating Windward in a five-set reverse sweep. Middle blockers Layla Moore and Kristen Dear are both seniors with Division 1 futures in front of them–Moore at CSUN and Dear at Howard. The team’s strength this playoffs has been its serving and passing, with libero Sydney Mercado, Georgia Camandang, and Hannah Ballungay all serving touch.
The team has a variety of weapons for setters Ballungay and Lauren Foster-Elisara to spread the ball around to, including the versatile Cedra Talaga, senior opposite Emma Holder, Aleeya Salima, and Larissa Foster-Elisara.
“I can’t really express in words how proud of this group I am,” said Aquiningoc. “We’ve had a long season and it’s had its ups and downs. Their persistence and willingness to put in the work is the reason why we are where we are. A lot of teams could have easily kinda packed it in with a 2-10 record. They didn’t, and their perseverance and grit is what’s carried them to the championship match.”
For Poly, the match can’t come down to a jump-off at the pins with a UCLA commit. They have to win the match through serving, passing, and disciplined play.
“We have to double down on what’s got us here, being aggressive in our first contact and being intentional in our passing,” said Aquiningoc. “We know that’s the key to opening up our offense.”
The562 will be on-site Saturday with full coverage of the match.
