The Panthers finished third in the West Catholic Athletic League and earned a place in the Central Coast Section Division III playoffs. Then, after a second-place finisher, they were off to compete in the Northern California tournament.

"Playing in CCS and NorCal is an expectation for our players when practice first begins in the summer," said coach Steve Santonastaso.

But getting there is no easy task since the Panthers play in the rugged WCAL. Still, Presentation managed to third in the circuit behind perennial powers Mitty (first) and St. Francis (second).

"I feel like we played them both tough this season, although the scores may not always reflect it," said Santonastaso. "We are developing a reputation that you have to come ready to play us or we will beat you."

Branham certainly understands that reputation.

After receiving a first round bye in the CCS playoffs, Presentation met the Bruins in the CCS quarterfinals. Branham was "pretty good competition" and the Panthers were "a little rusty" from having the bye, but they were able to take the match in three straight games. Kiera Reilly led the way with 15 kills.

The Panthers moved on to face Santa Cruz in the semifinals.

"They were not as tough [as Branham] and we were much more ready to play," said Santonastaso. Presentation again took the match in three games with Nicole Bowland providing the offensive punch with 11 kills.

That set up a showdown with St. Francis for the CCS Division III championship. The Lancers were looking to win their 10th consecutive CCS championship [previously all at the Division I and II levels] and Presentation had won the Division III title the past two years.

"Tradition is sometimes hard to overcome, even if the level of play is not there," said Santonastaso. "We were ready for the upset, but a couple of breaks didn't go our way. We thought we had won the first game, but a call at the net went against us. We went from thinking we had won at 25-23 to a 25-27 loss."

Defensive specialist Francesca Farinacci put up a valiant effort against the strong offensive power of St. Francis, getting 14 digs. Haley Carroll led the Panther offensive attack with 12 kills. In the end, St. Francis was too much to overcome and took the match in three games to win the championship.

Santonastaso said that senior captains Therese Vinal and Bowland provided key leadership and "awesome play all year long." Junior setter Darcy Carroll and sophomore outside hitter Haley Carroll also provided "very solid" play in the playoffs.

"Those four really picked it up in the last couple weeks in CCS and NorCal," added Santonastaso. Juniors middle blocker Zoe Beltz, outside hitter Reilly, and defensive specialist Jen Petersen "played great all season" as well.

In the first round of the NorCal tournament, the Panthers squared off against the Northern Cal Section Division III champ Enterprise High School on its home court in Redding.

"They were tall and could jump and hit but were weak in their ability to pass and play defense," said Santonastaso. The Panthers are strong at passing and playing defense and did just that to take the win in a very hostile environment, 22-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-23. Vinal and H. Carroll led the offensive attack with 15 kills each.

Next came Redwood High School, the North Coast Section champion, in the semifinals of the NorCal tournament. "Almost all of their players were year-round club players," said Santonastaso. "They were a little bigger and hit the ball a little higher than us. We fought and fought but couldn't pull it out."

Bowland led the way with 15 kills and Vinal added nine kills while getting 18 digs. H. Carroll had a great defensive effort with 21 digs and added four service aces. Redwood took the match in four games, 25-21, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22.

The Panthers will graduate three key starters in Vinal, Bowland and Farinacci. But the annual experience of participating in the tough competition of CCS and NorCal play has given Presentation the opportunity to continue to develop the talent and continue its success—and in 2004 the tradition should continue.