Relying upon its defense in games one and three, Flintridge Prep, who finished the season ranked fourth in CIF rankings, also showed it can handle the pressure of a road playoff game despite facing a large deficit. Trailing 7-0 and 10-3 in the second game, the Rebels managed to put together a spirited comeback to catch the Saints at 20-20 before putting Hillcrest Christian away for good with 25-21 victory.
Flintridge Prep maintained its momentum in cruising past a demoralized Saints team in the third frame, defeating Hillcrest Christian 25-13 to complete its second three-game sweep of the playoffs. Now, Flintridge Prep awaits the winner of Wednesday’s contest between Avalon and Arrowhead Christian. The quarterfinal match-up will be on Friday, with the location yet to be determined.
Last week, the Rebels opened the playoffs by defeating Carson’s California Academy of Math & Sciences (4-6) at home in straight sets, 25-11, 25-14, 25-22, on May 15 here at Crawford Family Gym.
“We went back to basics and played our game, you know,” senior Gavin Thompson told the Valley Sun after the first round match against CAMS. “This is our senior year. We want to win. We really want this.”
The will of Flintridge Prep was evident in the first two games. After CAMS managed to keep the match close early on during the first game, Flintridge Prep finished on an 18-4 service run – including a 7-0 service run with senior J.T. Tredwell serving to finish the game – to win the initial frame, 25-11. While both teams were tied at 7-7, CAMS committed 11 errors the rest of the way to drop the first game.
