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Defending section winner Hughson, state champion Hilmar headline SJS volleyball brackets
Hughson volleyball
Hughson High is the No. 1 seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV volleyball playoffs as the team continues its defense of last year’s blue banner.

The road to blue banners has been outlined for local prep volleyball teams, with the Sac-Joaquin Section releasing its playoff brackets for all six divisions on Friday afternoon. Earning bids this season are Turlock, Pitman, Denair, Hughson and Hilmar.

Of the five local qualifying teams, only one reached the promise land that is the Sac-Joaquin Section championships last year — Hughson.

This season, the Huskies will enter the postseason as one of the most dominant teams in the section, having achieved a 23-9 overall record and a 10-2 mark in the ultra-competitive Trans-Valley League.

Hughson will continue defending the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV championship on Tuesday, with its opponent still to be determined. The No. 1 Huskies will await the winner of Monday’s play-in contest between Lincoln and Venture Academy (Stockton).

Of the five local qualifying teams, there is also only one that will enter as a reigning state champion — Hilmar.

Last season's CIF State champion Yellowjackets began a new era under first-year head coach Avery Cano. After a 15-17 overall record and a 5-7 mark in the TVL, Hilmar is seeded fourth in the section’s Division V bracket. Across the net in the first round game Tuesday will be No. 13 Summerville.

Pitman and Turlock’s placements in the playoffs was widely determined this week.

The Pride defeated the Bulldogs in five sets on Tuesday, but were unable to earn a share of the Central California Athletic League crown in a 3-2 loss to Downey on Thursday. The loss dropped Pitman to 21-10 overall and finished the CCAL campaign at 8-2. The Pride will now host Armijo of Fairfield in Monday’s Division II play-in for a chance to compete against No. 3 Vista Del Lago on Tuesday.

With a 3-1 victory over Gregori on Thursday, the Bulldogs finished the regular season with a 17-14 overall record and a 6-5 third-place mark in the CCAL. The Bulldogs will be in action Tuesday as the No. 10 seed, traveling to take on No. 7 Cosumnes Oaks.

Down in Division VI, Denair earned a home match Tuesday to open the postseason with a 16-7 overall record in the regular season, which included a 10-4 runner-up mark in the Southern League. The No. 6 Coyotes will play No. 11 Foresthill.

All postseason games Monday and Tuesday are scheduled to get underway at 6 p.m.