Brandeis and Smithson Valley carried their district championship momentum into the postseason, securing first-round playoff victories in a Thursday doubleheader at Littleton Gym. The Broncos defeated Pieper in three sets, while Smithson Valley edged out Alamo Heights in a five-set thriller. Both teams now advance to the second round, having demonstrated resilience and offensive depth against strong regional opponents.
Key Match Highlights & Tactical Analysis
Brandeis (30-13) overcame a significant deficit in the deciding set to seal a 25-17, 25-18, 26-24 win over Pieper (27-16). Junior Cecily Alva led the charge with 15 kills, supported by freshman Addison Wells’ 40 assists. The Broncos trailed 17-11 in the third set but mounted a crucial comeback after Pieper took a 23-18 lead. A 6-0 run, fueled by Alva’s kills and an ace from Araceli, brought Brandeis to match point. After Pieper erased one match point, the Broncos forced a hitting error to close out the contest.
In the 5A Division I bracket, Smithson Valley defeated Alamo Heights 25-20, 25-20, 23-25, 25-12. Freshman Victoria Jaster dominated the attack with 22 kills, while senior Emma Feomaia orchestrated the offense with 41 assists. This victory sets up a second-round matchup for Brandeis against Dripping Springs, who previously defeated Round Rock Stony Point in five sets. Both teams enter the next round with confidence, having neutralized early-game challenges to secure their playoff spots.
Source: Yahoo Sports
