No. 3 seeded Godinez rolls to straight set win over Nordhoff in CIF playoff opener

Godinez players are introduced before Thursday’s CIF playoff opener. (PHOTOS: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

Godinez High School’s girls volleyball team led from the start and went on to defeat Nordhoff in three sets Thursday night in the opening round of the CIF Division 7 playoffs at Godinez.

The scores were 25-12, 25-17, 25-14.

Godinez, the No. 3 seed in the division, moves on to the second round Saturday on the road against Orange Vista.

“We actually had really great momentum to start that first set,” said Godinez Coach Jen Nixon. “It definitely helps when you’re the home team, we don’t have to make any adjustments on the court.

“The girls had really good momentum and they focused on keeping that momentum for as long as they could and they did the job finishing in three, I couldn’t ask for more.

“I got to do some homework and do a little bit of scouting to see what we’re up against and take it one game at a time.”

Godinez (18-12) led the entire first set. Nordhoff (13-5) led briefly to start the second set before the Grizzlies tied it 4-4 and went on to win easily.

Dani Torres sparked Godinez with excellent serving, delivering three consecutive aces in the middle of the set.

“She’s one of our strongest servers on the team,” Nixon said. “I do like to try and start with her when we have the serve. She gets us going and keeps that momentum for us.”

Nixon was also pleased with the play of middle blockers Liz Aguirre and Lilia Fuentes.

Torres, Aguirre and Fuentes were on the 2022 Godinez team that advanced into the quarterfinal round of the CIF playoffs for the first time in school history.

“I really rely on them to give the girls some words on wisdom and good advice so we are ready to go,” Nixon said. “I’m hoping that experience they got they try and use that and give it to the rest of their teammates. When it’s playoffs, you just don’t know how things are going to go.”

Godinez jumped out to a 9-3 lead in the third set and coasted the rest of the way.

Godinez reached the playoffs winning the Orange Coast League title, the first league crown in school history, Nixon said.

“The girls early on in the season they said, ‘hey coach, I think we can win league’ and I said, ‘let’s try it,’ and they succeeded,” Nixon said. “This is a really good group of girls, they get along really well and they enjoy each other’s company, which makes it a lot of fun.”

Setter Camila Aguirre also contributed to the win, the coach said.

For full view, click on the photo:

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com