View on YouTubeCalifornia is enduring one of its longest and driest droughts in history. The
Calexico (Calif.) girls volleyball team can seriously relate. Until now.
The Bulldogs hadn't won a playoff game in more than 100 years — 102 to be exact — but that all ended earlier this month with a three-game sweep over Castle Park in the San Diego Section playoffs.
But when it rains and pours. Calexico went on to win four straight matches in the playoffs, including a thrilling five-game win over Central (El Centro) on Friday to take home the school's third SDS crown in any sport. The last was a soccer crown in 1978 - so that's now three section titles in 102 years.
The Bulldogs (18-14), who started the season 3-7, open Southern California regional play Tuesday night at
La Reina (Thousand Oaks). They won three straight SDS matches by sweep before facing a Central team they had defeated 3-0 twice earlier in the season.
"When you start the season 3-7, the last thing you expect is to be CIF champions," Calexico coach Claudia Maeda said. "I'm so proud of our team and coaching staff for putting in the work day in and day out. Nobody ever gave up and that is what makes me the most proud, as a coach."
The team has been led all season by the hitting of junior
Pearl Escobar (293 kills), the setting of junior
Sofia Martinez (254 assists) and defense by senior
Paola Wong (156 digs).
Joseph Trabucco, a first-year athletic director at the school, said the Calexico student body and community has caught Bulldog fever. They were especially helpful during the team's SDS championship win on the road.
"It's amazing to see all the support from the students, administration and community for this team," he said. "Having the cheerleaders, drum line and numerous students and families make the trip to support these kids was special. It felt like a home game for us. It was a great moment and it couldn't happen to a better group of kids."
Editor Leland Gordon contributed to this report
