831PrepBeat

Santa Cruz High’s girls volleyball team traveled south to face Aptos on Thursday, looking to rebound from a loss to Harbor two days earlier. A win was crucial for the Cardinals to remain in contention for their first league title since 2001.

Soquel High’s girls volleyball team is starting to find itself with talented outside hitter Jessie Dueck playing libero as she recovers from bicep tendinitis.

The No. 2 seed Cardinals (21-5) advance to Thursday’s semifinal at home against No. 3 Sacred Heart Cathedral (19-14), a West Catholic Athletic League power from San Francisco. A victory over the Fightin’ Irish will propel Santa Cruz into its first section championship match appearance in school history.

Harbor High’s girls volleyball team, a game behind Soquel and Santa Cruz in the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League standings, looked to knock off both teams this week to even up the league race.