Panthers Battle Del Oro in CIF Division I Playoffs

Tuesday, November 11, 2025 - Saint Mary’s travelled to Loomis, California, to take on the #2-seeded Golden Eagles of Del Oro High School in the CIF Division I State Playoffs. Fresh off their North Coast Section Division II Championship win on Saturday, the Panthers faced a steep challenge—jumping three divisions higher than their NCS placement. Despite being a base Division IV team, Saint Mary’s entered the CIF tournament as the #15 seed in Division I.

From the opening serve, the Panthers looked momentarily cautious against Del Oro’s imposing 6’2” front line. But the Golden Eagles quickly learned that Saint Mary’s was battle-tested, athletic, and capable of matching up with anyone.

The Golden Eagles opened with a small lead, but the Panthers settled in, turning a tied set into a 25–22 win behind a dominant block from junior Corrine Jones and a decisive kill by senior Kalaya Phung.

In set two, the Panthers continued their strong play. After falling behind 7–11, Saint Mary’s rallied, fueled by key kills from junior London Crawford and clutch serving from sophomore Lucia Parsons, closing out a thrilling 25–23 comeback win to go up 2–0.

Del Oro, however, would respond. The Golden Eagles took control of sets three and four, winning 25–17 and 25–9 to even the match at two sets apiece. In the decisive fifth set, Saint Mary’s jumped ahead early 5–3, but Del Oro stormed back and held off the Panthers’ late push to take the match 15–9.

Despite the loss, the Panthers close out an incredible season—capturing the NCS Division II Girls Volleyball Championship, the program’s first since 2007. Congratulations to the players and coaches on a remarkable year of resilience, growth, and achievement.

Panthers Capture North Coast Section Division II Championship

Saturday, November 8, 2025 - After upsetting the #2 seed Cardinal Newman on Thursday, Saint Mary’s Volleyball traveled to San Francisco to face the top-seeded University High School Red Devils for the North Coast Section Division II Girls Volleyball Championship.

The two teams had met once before in the regular season, where the Panthers fell in four sets. This time, Saint Mary’s came prepared and determined to flip the script.

In front of a near sold-out crowd, the Panthers set the tone early when junior Corrine Jones blocked University’s leading outside hitter, followed by a serving ace from freshman Isabella Garzo-Cuevas. Saint Mary’s built momentum and took the first set 25–18, behind six team aces and senior Kalaya Phung’s leadership at the net.

University bounced back in set two, overcoming an early Panther lead to win 25–19. Through two sets, Saint Mary’s attack was balanced, with London Crawford (7 kills), Kaitlyn Dennis (6), and Phung (5) leading the offense.

The Panthers regained control in set three, finding another gear midway through and finishing strong, 25–18. In the decisive fourth set, Saint Mary’s battled from behind before sophomore Lucia Parsons delivered three straight aces to give the Panthers the lead. Parsons added two more clutch serves to push Saint Mary’s ahead 16–13, and the Panthers held on to close out the championship with a 25–23 victory.

Four Panthers finished in double figures in kills — Dennis, Crawford, Jones, and Phung — in a true team win that capped off an incredible postseason run.

Saint Mary’s now awaits its seeding in the CIF NorCal State Tournament.

Panthers Sweep Cardinal Newman to Advance to NCS Championship

Saint Mary’s Volleyball traveled to Santa Rosa on Wednesday night to face Cardinal Newman High School in the North Coast Section Division II Semifinals. The second-seeded Cardinals hosted the third-seeded Panthers in what promised to be a thrilling matchup between two of the top programs in the section.

Both teams started cautiously in game one, trading points early with neither side giving an inch. Cardinal Newman held a slim edge through much of the set, but Saint Mary’s took its first lead at 21–20 and closed out strong to win 25–23.

In game two, the Panthers found their rhythm. Behind strong blocking from junior Corrine Jones and steady serving from freshman Kaitlyn Dennis, Saint Mary’s built a lead that forced multiple Cardinal Newman timeouts. The Panthers’ balanced attack and relentless defense secured a 25–18 victory and a commanding two-set lead.

Game three saw Saint Mary’s come out fast, jumping to a 4–0 lead. The Cardinals battled back, cutting the lead to two at 17–15, but the Panthers stayed composed. After regrouping during a timeout, Saint Mary’s closed on an 8–5 run to seal the sweep with a 25–20 win.

With the victory, the Panthers advance to the NCS Division II Championship match on Saturday, continuing their impressive postseason run.

📍 Final Score: Saint Mary’s 3, Cardinal Newman 0
🏐 Next Up: NCS Division II Championship — Saturday vs. University (SF)

Panthers Sweep Mission San Jose to Advance to NCS Semifinals

Saturday, November 1, 2025 - Saint Mary’s played host to Mission San Jose tonight on Hagler Court in the Quarterfinals of the North Coast Section Division II Volleyball Championships.

The Panthers started slow but quickly found their rhythm, jumping out to a 13-7 lead in the first set. Behind the strong play of freshmen Isabella Garzo-Cuevas and Kaitlyn Dennis, Saint Mary’s took control and closed out game one with a decisive 25-13 win.

Game two was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading points. The Panthers built a comfortable lead, but Mission San Jose clawed back to within one. At 19 points, Saint Mary’s regrouped and finished the set on a 6-2 run to secure a 25-21 victory. Balanced scoring and strong team play defined the set.

In game three, Saint Mary’s maintained control from start to finish. Mission San Jose couldn’t find the rhythm to slow the Panthers’ attack, and Saint Mary’s closed the match with a 25-17 win, completing the 3-0 sweep.

With the victory, the Panthers advance to the NCS Division II Semifinals, where they’ll face the winner of Cardinal Newman vs. American High School on Wednesday, November 5th at 7PM.

Panthers Sweep Albany to Advance in NCS Championships

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 - Saint Mary’s took on cross-town rival Albany High School for the fourth time this season; meeting twice in league play, once in the TCAL Playoff Semifinals, and now in the opening round of the North Coast Section Division II Volleyball Championships. With both teams familiar with each other’s style, this matchup carried extra meaning, win and advance, lose and your season ends.

Game one started sluggishly for the Panthers, who found themselves down 4–7 early. Something seemed missing until senior Kalaya Phung stepped to the service line and delivered five straight points, flipping the momentum and giving Saint Mary’s a 9–7 lead. From there, the Panthers dominated, closing on a 16–5 run to take the first set 25–12.

The momentum carried straight into set two as junior London Crawford sparked a 7–1 opening run with aggressive serving and sharp play at the net. The Panthers maintained control throughout, securing a 25–14 win in the second game.

In the third set, Saint Mary’s again jumped out early, leading 6–1 before Albany battled back to stay close. However, the Panthers’ steady defense and composure proved too much, as they closed out the match 25–18 to earn a 3–0 sweep.

With the victory, Saint Mary’s advances to the NCS Quarterfinals, where they will host #11 seed Mission San Jose, who upset #6 seed Archie Williams.

📍 Next Match:
Saint Mary’s vs. Mission San Jose
🗓️ Saturday, November 1st
⏰ 7:00 PM
📍 Hagler Court

Panthers Sweep Salesian to Capture TCAL-Rock Championship

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 — In front of a packed house at Salesian Preparatory College High School, Saint Mary’s Girls Volleyball brought home the TCAL-Rock Championship Banner with an impressive 3-0 sweep over the Pride.

Coming into the matchup, Salesian held the regular season title with a 9-1 league record, while the Panthers finished just behind at 8-2. The two teams split their regular-season meetings, each winning on their home court, but this time, the stakes were much higher.

After being swept by Salesian on September 29, Saint Mary’s came into Wednesday’s final with something to prove. From the opening serve, the Panthers made their presence known, dominating at the net and shutting down Salesian’s middle attack that caused problems earlier in the season.

The Panthers took Set 1, 25-21, maintaining control from start to finish. In Set 2, they fought through early surges from the Pride but remained composed, pulling away late for a 25-20 win. The final set was a test of resilience, as Salesian led for most of the frame, but Saint Mary’s clawed back behind timely defense and clutch hitting to seal the championship with another 25-20 finish.

Senior leader Kalaya Phung was outstanding, making her presence felt on both the outside and right side with powerful kills and strong defense. Freshman standout Kaitlyn Dennis contributed key points on quick sets and net plays, while junior London Crawford delivered clutch kills down the stretch to secure the win.

With the championship banner secured, the Panthers now await their North Coast Section seeding, where they are expected to compete in Division II under the new playoff system.

Panthers Sweep Albany to Advance to TCAL Championship

Monday, October 20, 2025 - Saint Mary’s Girls Volleyball continued their postseason run with an impressive 3-0 victory over Albany in the semifinals of the TCAL Playoffs.

From the opening serve, the Panthers displayed sharp focus and energy, embracing a “next point” mentality that kept them locked in throughout the match. That consistency paid off early, as Saint Mary’s quickly pulled away in the first two sets with strong serving and efficient execution on both sides of the ball.

The third set proved to be a tighter battle, with the Cougars matching the Panthers point for point through the early stages. With the score tied near the 11th point, Saint Mary’s found another gear—closing out the match with a late surge to take the final set 25-17 and secure the sweep.

With the win, the Panthers advance to the TCAL Championship Game where they will face Salesian on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. The matchup promises to be an exciting showdown between two league powerhouses as Saint Mary’s looks to capture the TCAL playoff title.

Saint Mary’s Senior Kalaya Phung Named TCAL Co-Most Valuable Player

Congratulations to Saint Mary’s senior Kalaya Phung on earning Co-Most Valuable Player honors in the Tri-County Athletic League – Rock Division.

Kalaya’s outstanding season was marked by her consistency, leadership, and all-around dominance on the court. She led the Panthers in multiple statistical categories, including kills per set, hitting percentage, digs per set, total kills, and receptions.

Her season totals are impressive:

• 235 Kills

• 175 Digs

• 238 Receptions

Kalaya also finished second in the league in total digs, showcasing her defensive tenacity. Across the North Coast Section, she ranks 9th in total kills and holds the #1 spot in Division IV, underscoring her elite impact among top regional talent.

The Saint Mary’s community is incredibly proud of Kalaya’s accomplishments and the example she sets for her teammates through hard work and dedication.

Come out and support Kalaya and the Panthers as they host Albany High School this Monday in what promises to be an exciting matchup.

Saint Mary’s Celebrates Seniors with Win Over Albany

Monday, October 6, 2025 - After a demanding five-game week that saw the Panthers go 2–3 — with wins over Pinole Valley and Justin-Siena and losses to Christian Brothers, Sacred Heart Cathedral, and Salesian — Saint Mary’s returned to Hagler Court to celebrate Senior Night against crosstown rival Albany High School.

The Panthers honored three seniors — Kalaya Phung, Nathalia Reis, and Gabriella Martinez — in what was a crucial matchup to keep their hopes of sharing a piece of the TCAL conference title alive.

Saint Mary’s came out with energy and focus, taking the first two sets 25–18 and 25–20. The third set saw both teams trade leads multiple times before Albany managed to pull away 25–17. In the fourth, the Panthers opened up with a quick 4–1 lead, but Albany responded, keeping the set tight. Ultimately, Saint Mary’s closed strong to take the final set and the match, earning a hard-fought 3–1 victory over the Cougars.

The Panthers return to league play on Wednesday when they travel to Hercules High School, followed by a non-league matchup against San Francisco University High School on Thursday.

Girls Volleyball Takes Part in Day of Service at the Serve It Up Classic

Saturday, October 4, 2025 - Saint Mary’s Girls Volleyball recently took part in the 3rd Annual Serve It Up Classic, hosted by Justin-Siena High School. The event brought together four Lasallian schools — Saint Mary’s, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Christian Brothers, and Justin-Siena — for a weekend that blended community service, faith, and competition.

Before the tournament began, all participating teams spent a day giving back to the community through various service projects. Student-athletes had the opportunity to volunteer with organizations such as Expressions of Hope, Cake4Kids, Heritage House, Connolly Ranch, Calligraphy for a Cause, and the Salvation Army.

The goal of the day was to emphasize the Lasallian value of service to others — providing student-athletes the chance to serve their community and connect with peers from other Lasallian schools before stepping onto the court.

Sophomore Jocelyn Martinez reflected on her experience, sharing what the day meant to her:

“Having the opportunity to do service at the Serve It Up Classic meant that I was able to build a community through service and volleyball, with other Lasallian students around the area, prior to competing against them the next day.”

Jocelyn volunteered at Heritage Homes in Napa, where she helped organize cabinets and storage spaces used for community activities. The experience left a lasting impression:

“I learned that when you are in a time of need, there will always be at least one organization out there who is willing to help you out and get you back up on your feet.”

The day of service was a meaningful reminder that competition and compassion can go hand in hand — a perfect reflection of the Lasallian mission that guides all four schools.

Panthers Sweep Hercules for Back-to-Back Wins

Monday, September 22, 22025 - The Saint Mary’s volleyball team earned its second straight victory, defeating Hercules High School in commanding fashion on Hagler Court. From the opening serve, the Panthers set the tone with an 8-1 run and never looked back, sweeping the Titans in straight sets.

In the opening set, senior Kalaya Phung led the way with 8 points, while freshman Kaitlyn Dennis added 7 as Saint Mary’s controlled play en route to a 25-13 win.

Set two proved even more dominant, as freshman Isabella Garzo-Cuevas tallied 8 points to help hold Hercules to just 10 points in the frame.

The Panthers closed the match in emphatic fashion in set three, never even rotating the lineup as Garzo-Cuevas, Phung, and sophomore Jocelyn Martinez combined to score all the points in a 25-4 victory.

With the sweep, Saint Mary’s improves to 4-1 in TCAL play, continuing to build momentum as league competition heats up. The Panthers return to action on Wednesday, traveling to St. Patrick-St. Vincent for their next matchup.

Panthers Sweep Pinole Valley in TCAL Play

Monday, September 15, 2025 - Saint Mary’s traveled to Pinole on Monday for a TCAL match-up against the Spartans of Pinole Valley. Entering the night ranked No. 5 in NCS Division IV and No. 15 overall in the North Coast Section, the Panthers knew they needed to play steady volleyball to maintain their momentum.

Early on, Saint Mary’s allowed Pinole Valley to keep things close, missing opportunities on kills and defensive coverage. The Spartans tied at 11–11 in the opening set before senior outside hitter Kalaya Phung sparked a run with a decisive kill down the left line. That momentum carried the Panthers on a 14–3 surge to close out set one, 25–14.

Set two saw more of the same back-and-forth play, but Saint Mary’s held their composure, pulling away late to secure a 25–18 win.

The third set opened with a burst of energy from freshman Isabella Garzo-Cuevas, who delivered six straight service points to give the Panthers an early edge. Pinole Valley fought back with a 5–0 run, but once again it was Phung’s steady serving that shifted control. Behind her, the Panthers went on a 6–0 spurt to take a 15–9 lead.

The Spartans attempted one final push out of a timeout, but Saint Mary’s closed the door with disciplined play, taking the set 25–21 and completing the sweep.

With the win, the Panthers continue to show why they are among the top teams in the section, blending youthful energy with veteran leadership.

The Panthers return to action on Wednesday as they travel to Albany to take on the Cougars in another TCAL match-up. All three levels play starting at 4 p.m.

Panthers Volleyball Caps Off 3-0 Week

Friday, September 12, 2025 - It was a busy and successful week for Saint Mary’s volleyball, as the Panthers went 3-0 with victories over SPSV, Salesian, and San Leandro.

The week opened Monday with a strong win against SPSV. On Wednesday, the Panthers hosted rival Salesian and looked dominant early, taking the first two sets with control. Salesian, however, battled back in the third to force a fourth set. Saint Mary’s responded in convincing fashion, closing out the match with a decisive 25-15 victory in the final set.

On Friday, the Panthers traveled to San Leandro and put together one of their most commanding performances of the season. From the opening serve, Saint Mary’s was in rhythm, winning in straight sets: 25-10, 25-8, 25-16.

With the 3-0 week, the Panthers continue to build momentum as they prepare to face Pinole Valley on the road this coming Monday. All levels will be in action, beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Panthers Open TCAL Play with Statement Win over St. Patrick-St. Vincent

Monday,September 8, 2025 - Saint Mary’s Volleyball opened TCAL play with a dominant performance against St. Patrick-St. Vincent, a team that had their number last season with three straight wins. This time, the Panthers set the tone early and never let up, earning a convincing 3-0 sweep on Hagler Court.

In the opening set, Saint Mary’s jumped out to an early lead and closed strong, fueled by a remarkable serving run from freshman Isabella Garzo-Cuevas, who rattled off eight straight aces to seal the set, 25-9.

The momentum carried into the second game, where the Panthers once again took control from the first serve. Senior Kalaya Phung and freshman Kaitlyn Dennis combined for 15 service points, helping Saint Mary’s roll to a 25-10 victory.

The third set tested the Panthers’ resilience, as SPSV displayed their trademark grit with relentless defense and hustle. The teams traded points back and forth until Saint Mary’s tied it at 19. From there, the Panthers closed on a decisive 6-3 run to finish the sweep, 25-22.

With the victory, Saint Mary’s makes a strong opening statement in TCAL play. The Panthers now turn their focus to a home matchup against rival Salesian on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. on Hagler Court.

Girls Volleyball Shines with 5-1 Week, Strong Showing at Bishop O’Dowd Tournament

Saturday, September 6, 2025 - It was a busy week for the Saint Mary’s Girls Volleyball team, and the Panthers rose to the challenge, finishing 5-1 over six matches. Their strong play carried into the weekend, where they competed in the Bishop O’Dowd High School Tournament on Saturday.

In pool play, Saint Mary’s was unstoppable, going 3-0 with sweeps over all three opponents:

• Kennedy (Fremont): 25-17, 25-1

• International (San Francisco): 25-23, 25-21

• Amador Valley: 25-23, 25-12

The Panthers advanced to bracket play where they faced Monte Vista. Saint Mary’s opened strong with a 25-22 win in the first set. Monte Vista answered back 25-21 in the second, forcing a decisive third set. Despite the Panthers’ grit, Monte Vista closed it out 15-8, ending Saint Mary’s run.

Still, with five wins in six matches and a commanding tournament performance, the Panthers showcased their depth, consistency, and ability to compete with top programs.

Up next, Saint Mary’s will face another full week of action: Monday at home versus SPSV, Wednesday against Salesian, and Friday on the road at San Leandro.

Saint Mary’s Volleyball Secures Back-to-Back Wins with Victory Over Marin Academy

Tuesday, September 2, 2025 - The Saint Mary’s Varsity Volleyball team continued its strong start to the season with a statement victory over Marin Academy on Tuesday night. The win marks the Panthers’ second consecutive triumph and their first over Marin Academy in the past four years, breaking a 0-5 stretch that included last season’s NCS quarterfinal matchup.

From the opening serve, the Panthers set the tone. Freshman Kaitlyn Dennis delivered a powerful kill early in the first set, signaling that Saint Mary’s was ready to make a statement. The team maintained control throughout, taking the opening game 25-18.

The second set brought more challenges as Marin Academy rallied to take its first lead of the night at 18-17. Following a well-timed timeout by Coach Martinez, the Panthers regrouped and responded with an impressive 8-2 run to secure the set, 25-20.

With momentum on their side, Saint Mary’s closed out the match in dominant fashion. The Panthers showcased their poise and finishing ability, controlling the third set from start to finish and earning a decisive 25-14 victory.

The straight-set win reflects the growth and resilience of a young team ready to compete at the highest level in the Bay Area’s tough volleyball landscape.

Next up, Saint Mary’s will travel to Oakland to face another strong division opponent, Head-Royce School, on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Come out and support the Panthers as they look to extend their winning streak!

Panthers’ Depth and Team Effort Power 3–1 Victory Over Head-Royce

Friday, September 5, 2025 - Saint Mary’s traveled to Head-Royce on Friday night with plenty to prove. The Jayhawks have been a familiar postseason obstacle in recent years, twice eliminating the Panthers from the North Coast Section Championships. To make matters more challenging, Saint Mary’s entered the match shorthanded, missing two key players in freshman Kaitlyn Denis and junior London Crawford.

The opening set reflected those early adjustments, as the Panthers struggled to find rhythm. But behind the steady play of freshman Landry Fa’fui, Saint Mary’s clawed back from a deficit and closed out the first set 25–19.

Head-Royce responded in set two, capitalizing on Panther miscues and controlling the pace to even the match with a 25–15 win.

In the pivotal third set, the Panthers regrouped with sharper focus and energy. Saint Mary’s built a seven-point lead before Head-Royce rallied to pull within one at 18–17. Unfazed, the Panthers finished on a decisive 7–2 run to secure the set 25–19 and grab a commanding 2–1 advantage.

The fourth set highlighted the team’s depth. Sophomore Samantha Tacorda stepped up with valuable minutes at outside hitter, while junior Corinne Jones protected the net with strong blocks and powerful swings from the right side. Freshman Isabella Garzo-Cuevas orchestrated the offense with crisp setting and contributed key blocks of her own. Their efforts, combined with a balanced team attack, closed out the match 25–19 for the Panthers.

Saint Mary’s walked away with a 3–1 victory (25–19, 15–25, 25–19, 25–19), a result that not only marked a hard-fought road win, but also showcased the resilience and depth of a squad determined to make a statement this season.

Next up, the Panthers head into tournament play at Bishop O’Dowd this Saturday.

Varsity Girls Volleyball Dominates in Home Opener

Friday, August 28, 2025 - The Saint Mary’s varsity girls volleyball team opened their 2025 season with a statement win on home court, sweeping longtime rival Berkeley in three straight sets: 25–19, 25–23, 25–18.

From the opening serve, the Panthers showcased steady, consistent play and the kind of poise that comes with a strong off-season. With the addition of a talented freshman class, Saint Mary’s brought a new level of energy and depth to the court—something that clearly paid off.

Berkeley, who has had the upper hand over the Panthers in recent seasons, found themselves on the back foot throughout the match. This time, it was Saint Mary’s who controlled possession after possession, refusing to let momentum slip away.

After a confident 25–19 win in Set 1, the Panthers held off a late Berkeley push to edge out a tight second set, 25–23. In the third and final set, Saint Mary’s came out firing, opening on a dominant 12–4 run that set the tone for a 25–18 finish and the sweep.

Head Coach Martinez praised the team's focus and chemistry, highlighting the blend of veteran leadership and youthful talent that powered the win.

Next up, the Panthers will host Marin Academy this Tuesday on Hagler Court. Fans are encouraged to come out and keep the energy high as Saint Mary’s looks to build on their early-season success.