Panther Volleyball Vies for Next Playoff Rung

As the Panther Volleyball team prepares to launch their ninth straight playoff bid – against Ohlone at 6 p.m. on Nov. 20 in the Hartnell Gym – a clue to their potential can be found in their last match of the regular season.

After losing the first two sets of that Nov. 16 match in San Mateo, 18-25 and 16-25, the Panthers clawed back to win the third set 29-27 against the No. 14-ranked Bulldogs, then lost the fourth set, 20-25.

“We really slugged it out during the third set,” said Hartnell Head Coach Jamie Pedroza said. “It just shows we’ve got some spark and fire in us. When we’re pumped up, we can be pretty unstoppable.”

That’s the spirit Pedroza is looking for as her team (15-13) seeks to beat Ohlone (15-12) for a third time this season.

Because Hartnell is in third place in the Coast-North Conference, behind Cabrillo (16-7) and San Mateo (20-6), the Panthers are in the play-in round.

Pedroza said that what helped cinch her team’s playoff spot this year was the tough schedule she arranged during the pre-conference season in August and September. Four of their first 12 games were against schools that ended up in the top 25 statewide, including No. 6 Sierra, which boosted Hartnell’s post-season status.

She said her players, nearly all of whom will be returning next year, are “really thrilled and excited” to be on the championship bracket.

“And It’s nice having a home game, too,” Pedroza said.