Oakwood Girls Varsity Volleyball Secures Third Place at Sara Hernandez Memorial Tournament

Oakwood High School Girls Varsity Volleyball traveled to Rancho San Juan High School for the Sara Hernandez Memorial Tournament. The event attracts top talent from across the Pacific Coast Athletic League, including Gonzales, host Rancho San Juan, and CCS Division V champion Palma. Oakwood and Ceiba were the only representatives from the league's lowest division.

Despite what league classifications might have suggested, Oakwood more than held its own against the larger programs. The Hawks dominated pool play, defeating Seaside in three sets and Rancho San Juan in two to advance to the Gold Bracket.

Oakwood's first Gold Bracket match was against Gilroy, creating a personal matchup for many players and coaches who had been club teammates. The contest featured a classic battle between Gilroy's powerful hitting and Oakwood's stifling defense. The match went back and forth, but Gilroy's deeper bench and greater experience ultimately secured the victory.

Oakwood then faced PCAL-Mission League opponent Gonzales. The Hawks dismantled the Spartans with strategic hitting and elite-level defense to secure third place.

Although the playoffs are more than a month away, the tournament could significantly affect Oakwood's postseason prospects. The Hawks' playoff berth depends on their league record, while seeding will rely heavily on non-league performance. Wins against teams from the Cypress and Mission leagues, as well as opponents from higher divisions, strengthen Oakwood's standing. At the time of writing, MaxPreps ranked the Hawks sixth in all of CCS Division V and among the top half of all CCS teams.

With recent wins over Monterey Bay Academy and Trinity Christian, Oakwood remains in control of its playoff destiny. Three remaining non-league matches against Rancho San Juan, Calvary Christian, and fellow Division V opponent St. Francis (Watsonville) could determine whether the Hawks spend the postseason traveling from one match to the next or earn the program's first-ever first-round bye. Every remaining result carries added importance as Oakwood continues building momentum toward the postseason.

Girls Varsity Volleyball photo album