Two Long Beach volleyball teams opened the playoffs on Thursday, with Millikan advancing and Long Beach Poly falling in four sets. Moore League champion Wilson will host a second-round match Saturday evening after receiving a first-round bye.
Millikan def. Cathedral 3-0
The Rams were at home in the Division 4 opener and easily swept Cathedral, 25-13, 25-17, 25-19. Millikan will hit the road Saturday to travel to Tustin in round two; if they win they’d face the winner of Canyon and Northwood in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Canyon def. Poly 3-1
The Jackrabbits fell in a tight contest on the road, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 25-23. Canyon was led by Tyler Howard’s 20 kills, while Poly was led by Nico Iamaleava’s 27 kills and Malcolm King’s 13 kills.
“There were a lot more positives than negatives this year,” said Poly coach Sid Davidson. “We’re a young team, we had our moments–these guys didn’t want to lose, so it was really tough. We just made some crucial mistakes at the wrong time.”