On November 16, 2010, the Milken Wildcats Girls Varsity Volleyball (16-8) team faced off against Upland Christian (31-4) in an intense CIF Southern Section Semifinal. In a valiant effort, the Wildcats fell to the Eagles from Rancho Cucamonga in 5 highly contested games.

The Wildcats advanced to this point by sweeping the Santa Clara Saints in a first round game, defeating California City in 4 games, and trouncing San Jacinto 3-0 in a third round match. However, the Wildcats deep run into CIF was undone by the huge front line of Upland Christian. The Eagles were led by senior 6”2 Middle Blocker, Hannah Wagner.

Milken struck first by taking an early 3-0 lead in the opening game, and held on 25-19, winning on a perfectly placed down the line shot by Outside Hitter Ariella Barry ’12.  In the first game, the Wildcats were aided by the strong play of Talia Myers’ 11, who had provided timely kills to help the Wildcats maintain their lead.

In the second game the Wildcats kept it close, climbing to within 2 points at 14-12 after Jordyn Schiff ’13 blocked Wagner’s shot at the net. The Eagles went on to tie the match 1-1 by winning 25-19.

In the third and fourth game, the Wildcats kept it close falling by respective scores of 25-18 and 25-13.

Many Milken students and parents attended the match filling up the stands and displaying tremendous school spirit. After the game, the team was congratulated by many fans, who applauded after the game in commemoration of a great season.

Six seniors will depart from this year’s stellar semifinalist squad. For these seniors, it was a sad ending to the season and their Milken volleyball careers.

However, the Wildcats will see the return of many underclassmen for next year and will look to field a strong team.

“It was a disappointing loss, but the best season I’ve had so far. I look forward to next year, hopefully we will go as far,” Schiff said.