Thousand Oaks travels to Newbury Park on Wednesday, Oct. 28, for a CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS) Division 3 volleyball quarterfinal. First serve is 6 p.m., according to the Newbury Park High athletics site.
The Marmonte League rivals have each won two playoff matches to reach this round. The winner advances to the Division 3 semifinals Saturday, Oct. 31.
Thousand Oaks senior outside hitter Halle Bryce, a BYU commit, discussed the matchup in an Oct. 28 episode of the Ventura County Star's Prep Period podcast. Bryce and fellow captain Saylor Halvorsen, also a BYU commit, have powered the Lancers' postseason run.
The Lancers opened the playoffs Oct. 21 by rallying from two sets down to beat Saugus 23-25, 21-25, 25-20, 25-14, 15-12, as reported by the Daily News. Halvorsen finished with 21 kills and Bryce added 18.
"We started so nervous and excited, and once we calmed down and got together, we started playing really well," Bryce said after the win, as reported by the Daily News.
Thousand Oaks then beat Etiwanda in four sets, 28-26, 25-22, 23-25, 25-9, in the second round Oct. 24, according to Los Angeles Times results. Coach James Park, who has led the program since 2006, is in his final season, the Daily News reported.
Thousand Oaks last won a CIF-SS title in 1987.
Newbury Park has won both its playoff matches. The Panthers beat Corona-Santiago 3-1 in the first round Oct. 21, with outside hitter Laney Knopp recording a game-high 20 kills, according to the Ventura County Star. Head coach Chris Forrest's squad then rallied from a set down to beat Redlands in five, 25-18, 26-28, 16-25, 25-18, 15-10, on the road Oct. 24, per the Ventura County Star.
Outside hitter Charley Knupp and setter Keira Overbeck have anchored the Panthers' attack through two rounds.
The Lancers entered the playoffs as the Marmonte League's third-place finisher. Newbury Park earned the league's second-place seed. The Division 3 final is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at a site to be announced.
