SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The Santa Monica College women's volleyball team is headed back to the 3C2A Women's Volleyball State Championship for the first time in 31 years, earning their spot with a dominant sweep over Golden West College on Saturday night.
No. 5 Santa Monica 3, No. 13 Golden West 0 (25-12, 25-21, 26-24)
With the win, the Corsairs (26-4) captured their 17th straight victory, sweeping a Golden West squad (19-5) that pushed late but couldn't slow SMC's momentum.
Santa Monica controlled the first two sets before Golden West surged ahead 22-18 in the third. The Rustlers reached set point at 24-23, but the Corsairs responded with championship composure. A kill from Nadene Taase out of a timeout tied it, followed by a key block from Nicole Lankton and Mia Whitlock. Lankton sealed the sweep with a decisive kill through the heart of the Golden West defense.
Lankton led the way with 13 kills (.375) and seven blocks, while Whitlock added eight kills, four blocks, two aces, and nine digs in a complete two-way performance.
The win sends Santa Monica to the Elite Eight at Folsom Lake College — the program's first appearance since 1994.
State Championship Field Set
Eight teams advanced out of regional play, split between four from the North and four from the South. The field includes defending champions and returning powerhouses, setting up a competitive weekend in Folsom.
North Region Qualifiers:
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#3 Feather River (defending state champions; CCCWVCA #1)
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#5 Fresno City (2024 runner-up)
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#1 San Joaquin Delta
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#2 Taft
South Region Qualifiers:
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#1 San Diego Mesa
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#2 Los Angeles Mission
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#14 Long Beach City (only Round 1 team to reach the Elite Eight)
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#5 Santa Monica (first appearance since 1994)
State Tournament Begins Friday, December 5
Quarterfinal play opens Friday at 10:00 a.m. at Folsom Lake College. Full bracket details and match times will be released by the 3C2A this week.
Santa Monica enters as one of the hottest teams in the state and looks to continue its historic postseason run.
