St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy’s Dylan Nelson (14) and Brianna Layug (16) leap to block a hit as they play Fairmont Prep in their CIF playoff volleyball match at Fairmont Prep in Anaheim on Tuesday. Fairmont Prep defeated PMA, 3-0. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)

ANAHEIM – In a postseason that was expected to go deep in the playoffs, the St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy Girls Volleyball team fell to host Fairmont Prep, 3-0, Tuesday (Oct. 20) in a CIF D8 first round match.

With a blend of experienced seniors and seasoned sophomores and juniors, the Warriors came up short, 25-14, 25-21, 25-18.

With the loss, PMA concludes its season with an overall 18-10 record and an 11-3 Santa Fe League record which was good for third place.

Fairmont Prep (13-5), meanwhile, advances to the second round and will face San Jacinto Valley.

“Honestly, it goes back to our preparation from last year ending our season on a tough loss again,” PMA second-year coach Chai Howard said. “Coming into this season, just trying to take all that we prepared to bring us here, although it’s not the outcome that we wanted I think the girls themselves are bringing new life to PMA.

“I think we’re seeing new competition every year and seeing new talent every year. It’s beautiful to see them grow to see them make a name out of PMA. With a tough loss like this, every season we’re reaching new heights.

“We’re seeing a big turnout with the volleyball program, which is really good. We’re building a new culture and a definition of what PMA Volleyball looks like.”

Unofficially, leading the way for the Warriors was senior Sophia Layug with a team-high nine kills. Her sister, sophomore outside hitter Brianna Layug added eight kills, while two players – senior middle Maddy Valenzuela and sophomore Mimi Melendrez had two apiece and seniors Malia Melendrez and Dylan Nelson added one each.

“It was a tough match,” Sophia Layug said. “I think this was a very good learning experience for all of us. It was such a wonderful opportunity to play with all of these girls for one last time. I’m really grateful and even though we lost we learned a lot. I’m really glad how we stood up for each other.”

In the opening set, Fairmont jumped on the Warriors and scored six consecutive points to start the match. PMA traded points with the Huskies and held a 4-point, 11-7 lead. Highlighting the early scoring for the Warriors was Sophia Layug with two kills and one by Mimi Melendrez.

“I feel like this game brought so much pressure, especially as an underclassman,” Mimi Melendrez said. “My sister (Malia) is a senior and I felt like we had to win this game even more and show up more and try harder. Especially with the outcome, it definitely sucks, definitely brought us a lot of tears.

“(The future) is very promising and I feel like there’s been so much development in my class (sophomore) like we have grown as freshmen. To see all of that progress in one year it really makes you think of how much better we could get.”

Malia Melendrez said of the younger players, “I think since it a mix of both young and the seniors, I think we really push each other to better this program,” she said. “We inspire each other to want to play better and keep progressing. Especially after I leave, I know my sister (Mimi) is going to hold it down for PMA and continue the legacy. I can’t wait to be in college and having her telling me about the volleyball season.”

The bottom seem to fall out for PMA as Fairmont reeled off 10 straight points to take a commanding, 21-8 lead before the Warriors could get a point.

Trailing, 23-11 the Warriors connected for three consecutive points, which was highlighted by another kill by Sophia Layug.

The second set was another story, as the Warriors stayed neck-and-neck with three ties. At 6-6 the Huskies committed a rotation error and the Warriors had their first lead of the match, 7-6.

However, another small run of five points by Fairmont Prep upped their lead to 11-7.

But, PMA fought back and with a kill by sophomore Brianna Layug, a service ace by sophomore Giuliana Solano and two kills by Sophia Layug, it got them within a point of the Huskies12-11.

With a service ace by junior outside hitter Grace Hernandez, the Warriors drew even at 12-12.

Another run (6-0) by Fairmont gave them a 21-15 advantage before PMA outscored the Huskies, 6-1 to pull within a pair of points and a chance to even up the match at 1-1. Three consecutive points, which were highlighted by a kill by Brianna Layug and a service error and attack error by the Huskies. The Huskies trailed by two, 23-21.

After a long rally that ended with three straight points to end the set, Fairmont took a 2-0 set lead.

The final set was a mini marathon affair, as the two teams battled early with five ties. The fifth of which was a 4-4 tie.

After a PMA timeout, an 8-point run by the Huskies took the air out of the match for the Warriors as the Huskies led 11-4.

Trailing, 13-6 Nelson connected with a kill to cut the lead in half, 14-7.

“It was great bonding with the girls on the team,” said Nelson, who has been on varsity since her sophomore year and will now prepare for track. “It was a good run with all of the girls. I feel good, it was fantastic.”

The Huskies stretched the lead to 19-11, which was highlighted with a kill by junior outside Lorelei Cribbs and a service ace.

The Warriors did outscore Fairmont, 9-6, the rest of the way. Included in that final stretch by the Warriors were kills by Valenzuela, Brianna Layug and her sister Sophia Layug, who brought the score to, 24-17. After a service ace by Brianna which brought the score to 24-18, a clinching kill by Fairmont ended the match.

CIF Flag Football results

For the first time in the brief three-year history of the Downey Flag Football program, the Vikings qualified for the CIF Open Division.

No. 10 Seed Downey (22-5, 11-0), which is playing in a three team pool play bracket, lost the opening game to No. 3 Seed Orange Lutheran (17-4), 16-12. They will play No. 6 Seed Woodbridge Saturday (Oct. 24).

Warren (20-9, 9-3), which is in CIF Division 1, was defeated by El Toro (14-11), 35-20 in first round action.

Football week eight results

A big 25-13 win by PMA (2-6, 2-1) over Paraclete, vaulted the Warriors into a tie for third place in the Angelus League. PMA hosts one-win St. Paul (1-7, 0-3) Friday (Oct. 23).

Downey (5-3, 3-0) shutout La Mirada, 45-0 in a Gateway League game to remain tied with La Serna in first. The Vikings host Cerritos (2-6, 1-2) Friday.

Warren (5-3, 1-2) defeated winless Mayfair (2-6, 0-3) in league, 50-21, and will travel to La Mirada (5-3, 1-2) Friday.

Calvary Chapel Downey traveled to Catalina Island to play Avalon, but lost 38-12. The Grizzlies are 2-5 overall and 1-1 in the Express League in third. They travel to Vista Meridian (Santa Ana) for a Saturday (Oct. 24) game.

PMA’s playoff hopes end in first round