The magical turnaround season continues for one more night.

Mary Star High girls volleyball used the middle portions of the first two sets, and dominated the third early to sweep away visiting Santa Clara 25-16, 25-16, 25-13 in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Division IV-A playoffs, their first playoff victory in five years, where the 2009 team reached the quarterfinals.

On a team of just ten players, only two of which are seniors, the Stars (16-12 overall) were still too much for the visiting Saints (10-5) as they had several players step up at various times, a trademark for this year's team.

Still, they couldn't help but wonder the pride they have brought to a once down-trodden program.

"It's almost a relief to bring back a playoff win," Mary Star senior opposite hitter Evelyn Pronovost said. "With all the talk of the 2009 team it puts the pressure on us to perform to our absolute best, but with that being said our team is playing the best it has all season and it feels great to bring playoff volleyball back to Mary Star."

In front of another highly supportive crowd, Mary Star would lock themselves in a stalemate with Santa Clara early on but once they led 11-10, sophomore outside hitters Ally Spillane and Lexi Andrie took turns establishing the Stars' tempo, mixed in with some stellar defense by senior libero Hope Marinkovich and the serving of sophomore setter Angela Pisano.

Sophomore middle blocker Gianna Fletcher's block triggered the Stars' 14-6 run to put away the opening set, where Spillane and Andrie both contributed with five kills each. "We came out ready and knew we had to stay focused, play our game and let them make the mistakes," said Spillane, who had 10 kills, 10 digs and four aces for Mary Star.

In the second set, the Stars jumped to a 4-0 lead but Santa Clara hung tough, this time it was five kills from Pronovost that turned the tide, while in the later stages of the set, sophomore middle blocker Kaitlyn Martinez came alive with two of her three kills to close out the second set. The third set was no contest, as Pisano's five aces staked Mary Star to an 8-0 lead, and they would cruise from there.

"(Pronovost & Pisano) both made some great plays and they're both outstanding players," said Andrie, who had 10 kills and two aces.

Pisano said there wasn't much to it with her effort of 20 assists, 8 aces, 5 digs and two kills. "I was proud that I contributed with my serves and that I was able to help my team out and put us up," Pisano said. "I really focused on my serves."

Not to be left out is the play of Marinkovich, who contributed with a game-high 20 digs. Fletcher had two kills, two assists and a block, while Pronovost finished with 8 kills and two aces. All ten players found ways to contribute for first-year coach Tyler Jaynes, who really has turned around the fortunes of Mary Star girls volleyball.

"I'm really excited for all of us," Andrie said. "First to come off winning (the Santa Fe) League and then conquering our first playoff game is really exciting for the whole team and I. We're going to play the game we know we're capable of on Thursday and I have confidence in my team. and I know we will finish strong."

Pisano echoes Andrie's sentiments.

"We may be small, but we give it our all no matter what," Pisano says. "Every player on this team contributes and has a role to make the team thrive and be successful. I couldn't be any happier and I love my teammates so much."

Mary Star will travel to face Savanna of Anaheim, a four-set winner over Fontana, in the second round on Thursday at 7 pm.

Meanwhile in the CIF-Los Angeles City Section...

San Pedro lost 25-16, 25-12, 25-16 at No.6 South Gate in the first round of the Division I playoffs, ending the No.11 Pirates' season at 13-13 overall. Senior opposite hitter Brittany Foster led the Pirates with seven kills, while senior outside hitter Allison Kittell finished with five kills, an ace and two blocks, and senior outside hitter Paige Peterson contributed with five digs.

In Division IV, Port Of Los Angeles rallied from a 17-5 deficit in the fourth set to stretch their first round match at Collin's Family of Huntington Park to a decisive fifth set, but came up short in a 25-18, 19-25. 25-18, 24-26, 15-13 loss which ends the Crosstown League champion Polar Bears' season at 14-9 overall.