Carrillo ramps up their serves in a heated match against Sonoma Academy

Sonoma Academy during warm-up lines (April Huang / The Puma Prensa)

By April Huang, Staff Writer

On September 18, 2026, the women's volleyball teams of Sonoma Academy and Maria Carrillo played. Sonoma Academy is a private college prep high school located in northern Santa Rosa. Games were played best out of three sets for JV (first to two), and varsity played best out of five sets (first to three sets). 

The game was located in the main gym, and refreshments were available, consisting of pizza, drinks, and chips.

The game was intense with loud cheering, amazing aces, and tense moments. Carrillo's cheering was especially loud as JV took two sets home for the win, and varsity's consistent offense put up a tough challenge for Sonoma Academy.

At the start of the JV game, Carillo took an early lead, and won by 25-17. Carillo had strong serves and a great offensive lineup. Carrillo freshman JV number 4 Galilee Arga had some great sets to the outside hitter, number 5. 

In the second set, Carrillo made consistent mistakes, leading to an early Sonoma Academy lead. However, Carrillo's spirit shone through and they continued to fight back, leading them to tie the score at 11-11. They also stepped their serves up, and in the end, Carrillo won with a strong 25-17, putting the JV game to a close.  

At 5:57 PM, Carrillo and Sonoma Academy’s varsity volleyball teams began warming up with hitting lanes and serve practices. Soon, the game began.  

The varsity game began with a Sonoma Academy early lead. They managed to hold Carrillo to a five point differential, and in the end, Sonoma Academy pulled ahead with 17-25. However, Carrillo's consistent offense and energy brought the Sonoma Academy team a challenge.

In set two, Carrillo varsity number 6, a libero, dug a line serve by Sonoma Academy, leading Carrillo to win that point. The Pumas continued their intense offense and managed to tie the score at 15-15. 

At set point, Carillo served. Sonoma Academy received it well, and put it up for an attack. Luckily, Carrillo managed to dig it and get it over the net. Sonoma Academy retaliated with a strong spike— Carrillo set it, but missed on the attack. Sonoma Academy won the second set at 20-25.

Disappointment swelled amongst the Carrillo players, but there was still one more set to go. Sonoma Academy’s outside hitter smashed the ball into the deep back court for an untouched kill. Carrillo struck back with a tip that took the entire gymnasium by surprise, leading to a tie at 7-7. With the victories of the past two sets, Sonoma Academy pulled ahead, leaving Carrillo in the dust. With a decisive swing, the Sonoma Academy hitter ended the game with 16-25. 

The set was over. Sonoma Academy won— Sonoma Academy 3, Carrillo 0.