Stallions swept from playoffs

When the Madera South boys volleyball team opened this season’s playoffs, it was trying to get to a point where the 10-year program hasn’t been before.

“We’ve never got to the semifinals,” said Stallion head coach Steve Guglielmana. “We came close against Clovis North last year in the quarterfinals. We had them on the run.”

With a 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-17) home win over No. 12 Hoover-Fresno in the first round of the Div. I playoffs, the No. 5 Stallions returned to the section’s quarterfinals on Thursday evening with a shot to advance where no previous Madera South team has made it to.

“We’ve been ranked No. 5 before, so getting to the semi’s would be a huge deal for this program especially since none of the kids play club,” Guglielmana said after Tuesday’s win over the Patriots at Madera South’s East Gym. “As far as the playoffs go, we’re one of the top teams, so being in the postseason isn’t a big surprise. What we want to do is press on further into the playoffs and the quarterfinals is the next step.” ...