Granada Hills turned back Tustin in five sets Tuesday night in the opening round of the CIF State Division IV girls volleyball playoffs, with freshman setter Jazleen Puente helping direct the comeback in her varsity starting debut. The Highlanders prevailed 28-26, 23-25, 18-25, 25-14, 15-11 after falling behind two sets to one.
Called up from junior varsity, Puente entered the match nervous about her new assignment. Granada Hills used a 6-2 system intended to improve ball movement and put its hitters in favorable positions. Puente shared the setting duties with experienced junior Weiwei Gao, whose guidance helped the newcomer navigate the pressure of a state playoff match.
The two setters helped fuel a six-point surge in the fourth set, when Granada Hills built a 15-9 lead while trying to keep its season alive. Gao described a growing sense of responsibility in her junior year, saying her approach now centers on supporting her teammates and providing leadership after feeling uncertain about her role a year earlier.
Fourth-seeded Granada Hills improved to 22-18-1 and will host fifth-seeded Chatsworth, its West Valley League rival, in Thursday’s quarterfinals. Chatsworth advanced with a 26-24, 25-14, 25-15 sweep of Tri-City Christian on Tuesday and brings a 30-16 record into the meeting at Granada Hills High.
Tustin, the No. 13 seed, finished its season at 17-19. Middle blockers Sophie Gholston and Ruby Villafan helped generate the attacking momentum that put the Tillers ahead, but the team could not sustain that advantage. Extended rallies throughout the closely fought match tested the conditioning of both squads.
Tustin coach Miguel Galindo became emotional after the defeat. The third-year coach and former Fullerton College outside hitter pointed to the program’s growth, its summer preparation and semifinal appearances by both the boys and girls teams. His approach emphasizes encouragement and celebration, including coordinated dancing on the bench. He sometimes joins the players’ dances and chants, hoping his enthusiasm builds confidence among the team and spreads to supporters.
Senior middle blocker Ariana Kederian supplied an offensive lift for Granada Hills alongside sisters Amber and Amy Velasquez. Kederian had missed the early portion of the season while recovering from an injury to her right hitting shoulder. She credited her teammates’ development and their connection with helping her settle back into the offense.
Freshman libero Kayla Ong and Amy Velasquez anchored the back row. During the deciding set, Velasquez pursued a ball drifting away following the first dig, and a subsequent hitting error put Granada Hills ahead 7-4. Ong said the team remained committed to chasing every ball. For the Velasquez sisters, advancing also extended their opportunity to compete together before graduation, giving each remaining set added significance.
