MONTEREY -- It has become evident over the last five weeks that this isn't your ordinarily start-up program. The only thing new at Palma are the girl's volleyball uniforms.
Fielding girls' sports for the first time in 60 years or before Title IX existed, the Chieftains are one win away from advancing to the Central Coast Section Division V title game.
While it was forced to wait an extra day after a power outage postponed Tuesday's quarterfinal match, Palma returned to No. 3 seed Santa Catalina and swept them Wednesday 25-18, 25-17, 27-25.
"It sucked yesterday with the power outage," Palma coach Ivan Garcia said. "We were already warming up. It wasn't Catalina's fault. But we used that as fuel."
Owners of 11 consecutive wins, the No. 6 seeded Chieftains will travel to No. 2 Crystal Springs Upland (24-4) -- who knocked off Castilleja in five sets -- on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Hillsborough.
Champions of the West Bay Skyline Division, the Gryphons have won seven straight matches and are 20-2 in their last 22 matches. They did fall to Salinas in two sets in a tournament on Oct. 12.
"I don't know much about them," Garcia said. "I'll do some film watching tonight. We're going in with the same concept. We are the underdogs. It's someone else's home. We can't underestimate any team. The job isn't finished."
Since the return of five starters, who were forced to sit out the first nine matches because of the CIF transfer rules, the Chieftains have gone 11-0 after starting Mission Division play 0-4.
"We faced a little adversity tonight being down our starting libero and team captain," Garcia said. "Everyone kind of stepped up and did their part. We played hard."
That would include senior hitter Maya Giannini, who has been arguably the best player in the county since her return, finishing with 24 kills and 10 digs for Palma.
The Cougars, who endured growing pains in the Gabilan Division, finished the season 15-15 under first year coach Israel Ricardez, who took over the program after 14 years at Carmel
"I'm not going to use the word rebuild," Ricardez said. "I do believe there is talent. This year was about establishing a new culture. I get to walk in here and see the banners. That motivates me. I'm trying to get kids to buy into that mentality."
The Chieftains (15-5) dominated the first two sets before Santa Catalina showed resilience in the final set, getting to within a point of extending the match.
"They were at game point," Garcia said. "I took a time out and let them know we didn't come here twice in two days to give up a set. We want to play on Thursday."
Reese Amaral added nine kills for the Chieftains. Rachelle Andrade finished with 38 assists and eight digs, while Stellan Cagle had four service aces.
Santa Catalina put a roster on the court all season that included 10 freshman and sophomores. Ricardez will be losing just one senior.
"We have three years to achieve something special," Ricardez said. "This was a necessary step. Our youth showed up in the wrong way. We made too many unforced errors. There is enough talent to make some noise. Kids were crying. It shows they care."
Kristen Wong ignited the offense for the Cougars with eight kills, while Aleasha Kalinski and Jac Greenfield each compiled seven. Evelyn Kim finished with 13 digs.
