Aptos Upsets Scotts Valley to Reach SCCAL Volleyball Final

The Aptos High girls volleyball team delivered a stunning performance, defeating the top-seeded Scotts Valley in a thrilling five-set match during the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League (SCCAL) Tournament semifinals on March 14, 2024. The Mariners, seeded No. 4, triumphed with set scores of 22-25, 25-22, 25-20, 17-25, and 15-11, showcasing their determination and skill.

Leading the charge for Aptos was junior outside hitter Ella Dueck, who recorded an impressive 20 kills, six digs, and one ace. Dueck, who is committed to play beach volleyball at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, played a pivotal role in the Mariners’ victory. Senior outside hitter Kenzie Smith also made significant contributions, finishing with five aces, eight kills, four blocks, and eight digs.

Aptos demonstrated resilience throughout the match, especially after facing Scotts Valley three times earlier in the regular season. Coach Hunter Zeng expressed pride in his team’s ability to overcome adversity. “We finally proved our ability to compete and close,” he noted. The Mariners capitalized on a critical service run by Smith at 10-11 in the final set, followed by three consecutive kills from Dueck to seal the victory.

The Mariners will now face the No. 2 seed, Santa Cruz, in the SCCAL Tournament championship match at Cabrillo College on March 15, 2024, at 19:30. The winner of this match will secure the league’s second automatic berth into the Central Coast Section playoffs, with Scotts Valley already claiming the other berth by winning the regular-season title.

In another semifinal match, Santa Cruz triumphed over No. 3 Harbor in a dramatic reverse sweep, winning 21-25, 21-25, 25-18, 25-17, and 15-7. Outside hitters Natalie Monroe and Haisley Flanagan led the Cardinals, with Monroe contributing 18 kills and 11 digs, while Flanagan added 17 kills and 19 digs. The Cardinals’ victory sets the stage for an exciting championship showdown against Aptos.

The SCCAL Tournament has highlighted the intense competition among local high school teams, with both Aptos and Santa Cruz demonstrating their strengths as they head into the final. As excitement builds, fans await the championship match to see which team will emerge victorious and advance to the playoffs.