You can’t imagine how close the CIF Semifinal match last year between Wilson and Santa Margarita really was. CLICK HERE to read the story.  You can imagine that these Bruins have revenge on the mind as they host those same Eagles tonight in the Wilson Gym at 6pm in the CIF Playoffs Quarterfinals.

Okay well, they aren’t really the same Eagles.  Last season Middle blocker Elizabeth Riggins dominated for Santa Margarita while Kylie Hargreaves wreaked havoc on the outside and Lindsay Mortenson led a solid group coming off the bench.  Even though Riggins and Hargreaves both return for their senior year, Mortenson and the depth the Eagles leaned on last season is all gone.  While the Bruins were hands-on-knees after some epic long rallies in the second and third set of last year’s semi, Santa Margarita was fresh from opening volley to game-point.

The Eagles are 23-9 on the season and dominated the Trinity League with a perfect 8-0 mark.  Hargreaves has taken the role of leader in her senior year, and it all came together on Thursday against Redondo.  CLICK HERE to read the story of the Eagles second-round win.

For Wilson to advance to the semis again, they will need to stay aggressive and serve at Hargreaves whenever they can.  Obviously, Kellie Culbertson and Rebecca Strehlow will need to get their points by being involved early, but the wild card is Kellie Woolever.  If the senior setter can up the tempo on the Eagles, the Bruins could handle the quarters like they handled Edison in the second-round.