Young teams are not supposed to go on the road in a hostile environment and come back from a 24-21 deficit in the first set.  Of course, if you didn’t know by now, you know now: The Poly Jackrabbits are not your average young team.

Taking five straight points with great play from outside hitter Felicia Clemente, setter Rainette Uiato and libero Ally Moskitis, the Jackrabbits were on their way to a CIF Playoffs first-round sweep of Capistrano Valley, 26-24, 25-21, 25-22.

“The crowd was right on top of us, it was a pretty hostile environment,” said Poly coach Leland McGrath-Quin.  “I just told them to relax and stay focused, and they handled it.  I’m very proud.  We took their best shot and came back.”

Moskitis did a fantastic job handling a very good serving team in the Cougars and had one of her best games of the season with 35 digs.  Meanwhile, Uiato had 44 assists while feeding almost everyone on the floor.

“I told (the team) they needed to step up and have the opposite attack than we did against Wilson,” said McGrath-Quin.  “We needed to feed more than just two or three girls, and we did that.  That was the difference because girls like Felicia (Clemente) had kills in big spots.  We were able to feed someone different when we were in the 20’s.  That was huge.”

Clemente had six kills while Bria Russ led the way with 13 kills.

Capo Valley’s outside hitter Alma Serna (who can absolutely jump out of the gym, and might be headed to Long Beach State) led the Cougars with 11 kills, four blocks and three service aces.

Poly will return home to take on Harvard-Westlake on Thursday night.

Come Back Thursday Morning For All The CIF Playoff Previews!