Santa Barbara, Calif. – In a strong showing at the CIF State Girls Volleyball tournament, the Santa Barbara Dons clinched a 3‑0 victory over Steele Canyon in the Division 3 quarterfinals. Blake Saunders led the attack with 11 kills, and Kira Elliott added seven more. Junior setter Jules Horton distributed 34 assists, while senior Lola Heckman contributed six blocks and five kills.
Other Quarterfinal Results Across the State
Division 1 saw San Luis Obispo defeat Bishop’s 3‑1, earning the Tigers a spot against Coronado in the upcoming regional semifinal. In Division 2, Mission Prep pulled off a road upset, beating the #8 Liberty Patriots 3‑2, and will face Santa Fe Christian in the next round. The 6th‑seeded Newbury Park Panthers also advanced, defeating Glendora 3‑1 and moving on to play the #2 San Marcos team from San Diego County.
Division 5 featured the top‑seeded Rio Mesa Spartans dominating the Hoover Cardinals 3‑0. The Spartans will host a regional semifinal against a team from north of Bakersfield.
What’s Next for the Dons?
Following their quarterfinal win, the Dons will host Helix on Saturday in the regional semifinal. The matchup promises another test of Santa Barbara’s depth and teamwork as they aim to continue their run toward a state title.
Community Impact
These games draw enthusiastic crowds from across Santa Barbara County, reinforcing the importance of high school athletics in fostering school spirit, teamwork, and community pride. Parents, alumni, and local businesses have rallied behind the teams, highlighting the role of sports in strengthening family and community bonds.
Looking Ahead
The CIF State tournament will continue through the weekend, with semifinal and final matchups determining the champions in each division. Fans are encouraged to support their local schools and celebrate the dedication of the student‑athletes, coaches, and volunteers who make these events possible.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
