The Chargers took care of Mt. Pleasant on Oct. 21, getting the win 25-19, 25-20, 21-25, 25-19 in a tough contest. Briana Scala led the way with 18 kills in the match.

It was a repeat performance by Scala and the Chargers on Thursday as they traveled to Oak Grove. Scala again had 18 kills as Leland took the match 25-17, 25-20, 25-20.

Leland participated in the annual Milpitas Independence Spikefest II last Saturday and had a very successful showing. Coach Chris Hansen was pleased with her team's effort and the outcome.

"It gave us an opportunity to go up against some teams from Division II which is where we will play in the CCS playoffs," said Hansen. "We also got to face a team from over the hill [Santa Cruz] for the first time this year and they have some very good teams over there."

The Chargers began the tournament by winning their first two matches against Alisal and Homestead. Then they faced a tough Milpitas team in the semi-finals, which edged the Chargers 26-24, 33-31 in a hard-fought contest.

Leland came back strong to win its final two matches of the tournament. The Chargers defeated Gunn, which put them in the championship game of the Silver Division against Santa Cruz. The Chargers came out on top with a 25-16, 25-19 win. The win put them in fifth place overall out of 32 teams.

Scala continued her consistent and strong play by averaging 15 kills per match in the tournament. She received excellent support from setter Christy Gillick, who delivered the offense allowing Scala the opportunity for the kills.

Leland has four regular season league matches left which are "very crucial," according to Hansen. Two of the matches are against second-place Branham and third-place Piedmont Hills. Both are very tough teams.

"We need these wins for the point totals that will be used in the seeding for the CCS playoffs," said Hansen.

Although the Chargers have a solid division lead as they work for a championship, it's a good bet there will not be any letting up in the final two weeks of the regular season.

The Branham girls' volleyball team maintained its winning ways by taking two matches last week to improve its Mt. Hamilton Division record to 8-2.

The Bruins started the week's competition by taking on Santa Teresa on the road. Branham won the match handily in three straight games, 25-15, 25-21, 25-21. Amber Kauffman and Caitlin Steffeck led the team with seven kills each.

The showdown match came on Thursday as the Bruins hosted Piedmont Hills. The two teams were tied for second place in the division and the winner would take over sole possession of second and have the inside track of finishing the season there.

The match was intense and fiercely competitive, just as everyone expected. Branham lost the first game but came back strong to take the next three and win the match, 24-26, 25-20, 35-33, 25-11. Sophomore Amber Kauffman led the Bruin charge with 16 kills.

"When a match like that is over, you know that's why you coach," said Branham coach Dave Faz. "The level of competition and enthusiasm by the kids was so high and both teams just refused to give up."

Branham has only four matches left in the regular season, but the Bruins have already qualified for the CCS playoffs since the top four teams in the Mt. Hamilton Division advance.

The Bruins face Independence and Oak Grove on the road this week as they focus on getting ready for the playoffs.