Woodbridge and Beckman advance in CIF volleyball playoffs; next round Saturday

Woodbridge’s boys volleyball team celebrates after a playoff victory (Photo courtesy Maia Starling, For OC Sports Zone).

Woodbridge High’s boys volleyball team opened the CIF Division 3 playoffs, defeating Yorba Linda in three sets Thursday night at Woodbridge.

The scores were 26-24, 25-17, 25-23.

Spencer Sloniger led Woodbridge, the No. 2 team from the Pacific Coast League, with four aces. Mani Hosseini had two aces and six kills and Ben Montplaisir had 20 kills.

“We’re playing some of our best volleyball right now, really scrapping for every point,” said Woodbridge Coach Alan Ho. “The guys made some timely plays out there and stole a couple points that we had no business winning.  I’ve told them all year that those points that we can steal will make a difference in winning or losing and we stole just enough to make the difference.

“We got a big solo block by Terry Luo at 23-23 in the third game then another big combo block by Mani Hosseini and Ben Montplaisir to seal the match.”

Woodbridge moves on to face the No. 1 seed Murrieta Valley Saturday at 6 p.m. at Woodbridge.

The Warriors opened the playoffs Tuesday defeating Bell Gardens in three sets.

Also Thursday night:

Beckman 3, El Segundo 0: The Patriots won the road match to advance into the quarterfinal round Saturday night at Mission Viejo.

The scores were 25-10, 25-18, 25-20.

Senior outside hitter Karl Stenlund led Beckman once again with 12 kills, two blocks and two aces.

Senior opposite hitter Walid Sadiq also contributed with nine kills and a block, according to Coach Darin McBain.

Kain Partida and Aaman Soma each had six kills and one block.