San Mateo County volleyball roundup • Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025

Sophomore Poppy McKenzie turned in the best back-to-back defensive performances of her two-year varsity career to lead the Lady Dons (7-2 PAL Bay, 16-5 overall) to a 25-18, 25-21, 21-25, 25-19 win at home over Half Moon Bay (1-8, 10-10).

McKenzie recorded a double-double of 20 kills and 15 digs, this after totaling 17 digs Tuesday in Aragon’s three-set loss to Carlmont. She also matched her season-high with four service aces. Sophomore outside hitter Emilia Kunkel added a double-double of 11 kills and 15 digs.

With the win, the Dons remain tied for second place with Carlmont, one game back of first-place Menlo-Atherton in the PAL Bay Division standings.

Notre Dame-Belmont 3, Harker 0

Led by 20 kills from outside hitter Gia Rivera, the Tigers (6-1 WBAL Foothill, 17-8 overall) cruised to a 25-17, 25-20, 25-14 win over Harker (3-5, 7-9) at Moore Pavilion. Rivera took just 29 swings in the game to record a .586 hitting percentage. The senior added six digs and three blocks. Senior setter Ari Juarez ran the offense with 20 assists to go with 12 digs and three service aces.

Menlo School 3, Crystal 0

Freshman Adrianna Ananyi Menlo produced five blocks as Menlo (5-3 WBAL Football, 7-14 overall) rolled to a 25-17, 25-17, 25-8 sweep at Crystal (1-7, 6-8). Senior outside hitter Kinsey Nam paced the offense with 11 kills, while junior setter Jamie Johnson recorded 21 assists, eight digs, three aces and three kills.

Mills 3, Terra Nova 0

The Lady Vikings (6-3 PAL Ocean, 12-15 overall) won their third straight, sweeping 25-5, 25-17, 25-14 at home past Terra Nova (1-7, 3-18). Junior outside hitter Reanna Ng totaled eight kills and 16 digs, both team highs, while hitting at a .381 clip. Sophomore setter Kara da Luz recorded 19 assists and four service aces.

In other action ...

First-place Capuchino (9-0 PAL Ocean, 16-3 overall) rolled to a 25-8, 25-21, 25-17 sweep at home over South City (0-7, 2-16) to remain unbeaten in PAL Ocean Division play.

Carlmont (7-2 PAL Bay, 10-8 overall) used a 25-21, 26-24, 25-23 sweep at Burlingame (4-5, 10-12) to remain tied for second place in the PAL Bay Division.

Sequoia (6-3 PAL Bay, 14-10 overall) got back in the win column with a 25-18, 25-21, 25-14 sweep at rival Woodside (0-9, 1-13).

El Camino (5-2 PAL Ocean, 6-7 overall) swept 25-15, 25-8, 25-7 at home over Westmoor (3-6, 5-16).

Nueva School (5-2 PSAL, 8-7 overall) bounced back from a Game 1 loss for a 24-26, 25-15, 25-13, 25-13 win at home against University Prep-San Jose (1-6, 3-13).