Harbor, Santa Cruz learn NorCal playoff assignments | Boys volleyball

The Harbor and Santa Cruz High boys volleyball teams found out their division placements, seeds, and first-round opponents for the upcoming CIF NorCal Regional playoffs on Sunday.

Harbor was given the No. 4 seed in Division II, and Santa Cruz was awarded the No. 1 seed in Division III.

After reaching the semifinals of the prestigious Open Division in the Central Coast Section playoffs, the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League champion Pirates (32-6 overall) received a first-round home game on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

The Pirates open regional play against No. 5 Liberty (28-10) of Brentwood, the Bay Valley Athletic League champion and North Coast Section D-I runner-up. The Lions were swept by No. 5 nationally ranked Northgate (33-1) in the NCS final.

"We're thrilled to host the first round of CIF NorCals," stated Pirates coach Kendall Ronzano, in a text. "There's been a recent trend of the top three CCS Open teams being placed in Division I and the fourth in Division II. We built our schedule this season to give us the best possible chance to host if we made it this far - including adding strong out-of-section matchups alongside the level of competition we see in leagues like the CCS WCAL.

"The boys set a goal to make state this year, and they've worked really hard to get here. My hope is they have the time of their lives and play their hearts out Tuesday in front of the hometown crowd. It's an honor."

If Harbor wins its opener, it'll face either No. 1 Granite Bay (28-9) or No. 8 Livingston (37-7) in Thursday's semifinals at 6 p.m. The highest remaining seed will host.

On the other side of the bracket, No. 6 Aragon (33-9) of San Mateo opens at No. 3 Laguna Creek (21-6) in Elk Grove, and No. 7 Woodcreek (23-12) of Roseville plays at No. 2 Sanger (29-13).

Regional championships are slated for Saturday at 6 p.m.

The Cardinals, the SCCAL runner-up and newly crowned CCS D-II champion, were given a potential dream path to the state final. If Santa Cruz stays hot, it has the chance to play three straight home matches - if it's fortunate enough to reach the state championship at Fresno City College on May 30 at 1:30 p.m.

"Excited about it!" Cardinals coach Peter Edwards texted. "The team and I feel good about being in D-III as the No. 1 spot. Hope we can rise to the pressures that come with being that No. 1 spot and continue to play well!"

The Cardinals host No. 8 Ripon Christian (24-15), the Trans Valley Athletic League champion and Sac-Joaquin Section D-III runner-up, in their opener on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

If Santa Cruz wins its quarterfinal, it'll host either No. 4 Beyer (29-6) of Modesto or No. 5 Moreau Catholic (22-12) of Hayward in Thursday's semifinals at 6 p.m.

On the other side of the bracket, No. 6 Lowell (25-8) of San Francisco opens at No. 3 Mountain View (21-18), and No. 7 Carmel (22-6) opens at No. 2 Urban (25-1) of San Francisco.

"It's also special to have two SCCAL teams representing in NorCals this year," Ronzano said. "That says a lot about the level of volleyball in our league and the growth of the sport in Santa Cruz County."

IF YOU GO

CIF NorCal Regional playoffs

Tuesday's quarterfinals, 6 p.m.

D-II: No. 5 Liberty (Brentwood) at No. 4 Harbor

D-III: No. 8 Ripon Christian at No. 1 Santa Cruz

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This story was originally published May 17, 2026 at 5:13 PM.