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‘Jackets start playoff run with dominant sweep of LGA
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Hilmar’s Alyssa Colston reaches back to attempt a spike against the Leroy Greene Academy on Tuesday in the opening round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs. The Yellowjackets won in three sets (ANNAMARIE SILVEIRA/The Journal).

After a fifth-place, 5-7 campaign in the ultra-competitive Trans-Valley League, the Hilmar High volleyball program has quickly turned the page to what has become their favorite time of the year, as of recent — the postseason.

In the opening match of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs Tuesday evening at Strom Gymnasium, the No. 2 seeded Yellowjackets (20-15), the reigning Northern California Division IV champions, needed just three sets and less than an hour to defeat No. 15 Leroy Greene Academy of Sacramento (20-11).

The 25-11, 25-3, 25-16 sweep punched the Lady ‘Jackets a trip to the section quarterfinals for the second year in a row. They will host the winner of No. 7 Futures (Sacramento) vs. No. 10 Summerville on Thursday at 6 p.m. The final result of that match was not available at press time.

Hilmar led for the entirety of Tuesday’s contest, imposing their will early by jumping out to 6-0 in the opening frame and a 7-0 advantage in the second set.

Doing most of the scoring, as she has done in previous playoff runs for the Yellowjackets, was senior Alyssa Colston. The 5-foot-11 outside hitter racked up 15 kills and five aces. She was one of six Hilmar players to earn kills.

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Hilmar’s Emma Nyman records a dig as the Yellowjackets took down the Leroy Greene Academy in straight sets Tuesday in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V playoffs (ANNAMARIE SILVEIRA/The Journal).

In the second set, Colston and junior Reese Ahlem combined for 12 of the team’s 25 points. Colston had seven points, including five in a row with three aces and two kills to extend the set lead to 15-2. Ahlem had three kills and two aces in the period. The 2-0 match lead was officially secured with a block from senior Emma Gomes.

The third set was dominated by Emily Barroso. She had three kills, two aces and a block. That match ended with a kill from freshman Johanna Lawler.

Colston, Ahlem, Barroso and Gomes were all key pieces of last year’s “dream team,” Colston explained how the program’s recent playoff success and falling just short of a CIF State title a year ago has motivated the team to make another deep run.

“Last year, we just went so far. We pushed so hard. And although our league season didn't go as we wanted it to, we know that the playoffs are a whole different ball game, and that we can completely change everything,” Colston said. 

After contributing mainly through assists and blocks last year, Ahlem has enjoyed an increase in scoring opportunities. In Tuesday’s win, the 6-foot-2 middle hitter totaled six kills, a pair of aces and a block.

“I feel like there's more pressure on me this year, in a good way,” Ahlem said. “I love pressure, the pressure to perform, because I just think it pushes me to be better. I’m getting a lot more sets this year, so it's great.”

Ahlem also acknowledged the tough TVL results this regular season, but offered perspective. Six of the seven programs in the small-school conference have qualified for playoffs and were in action Tuesday.

“The TVL is dominating all of the playoffs,” Ahlem continued. ”D-3, D-4 and D-5 playoffs, there are TVL teams all over these brackets… It just shows me that the TVL is good and dominates, and it shows in the playoffs.”

Added Colston: “We didn’t win league, but it doesn’t matter. We’re still in a really good spot to get back to state. Looking at that white (NorCal Championship) banner hanging there motivates me each time.”