Grizzlies complete third straight perfect Southern League season

Mariposa finishes 14-0 in league volleyball play as balanced attack carries champions into postseason

Three seasons, three Southern League championships and not a league loss among them.

The Mariposa County High School varsity volleyball team completed another unbeaten run through the Southern League this fall, finishing 14-0 in conference play and 27-10 overall. The Grizzlies closed the regular season with a succession of decisive victories, extending a standard of consistency that has made them the league’s measuring stick.

Coach Holly Earling’s team combined an experienced senior core with productive underclassmen, winning with pressure from the service line, steady defense and multiple attacking options. Mariposa swept most of its league opponents and, when challenged, showed the composure to recover and finish.

Perfect through the league

The title run began with straight-set victories over Delhi and Gustine. Mariposa followed with a sweep at Modesto Christian and another 3-0 decision against Waterford. The Grizzlies then swept Stone Ridge Christian before Denair became the first Southern League opponent to take a set, though Mariposa still secured a 3-1 road victory.

A 3-0 win over Le Grand completed the first half of league play at 7-0. Mariposa opened the return trip through the schedule by sweeping Denair, then overcame an opening-set loss at Delhi to win 3-1. The Grizzlies swept Gustine and Modesto Christian, then finished the league season with straight-set wins over Waterford, Le Grand and Stone Ridge Christian.

Across those 14 matches, Mariposa lost only three league sets. Eight of the first 10 league victories were sweeps, and the champions ended the schedule with four consecutive 3-0 decisions. The final week included victories at Waterford, at Le Grand and at Stone Ridge Christian, leaving no doubt about the championship.

Production across the lineup

Senior outside hitter Gillian Pioske led Mariposa with 320 kills and a team-best .264 hitting percentage, averaging 3.1 kills per set. Sophomore outside hitter Kylie Williams was close behind with 312 kills, giving the Grizzlies a dangerous option on either pin.

Senior setter Emma Pioske directed the offense with 948 assists and also led the team from the service line with 82 aces, an average of 0.8 per set. Junior libero Abby Beery anchored the back row with 397 digs and a 3.8-digs-per-set average. Senior middle blocker Grace Beery paced the front row with 17 total blocks.

The championship roster also included junior defensive specialist Tylie Allison; junior opposite and setter Olivia Twiss; junior middle blocker Zoey Hofstee; senior opposite and middle blocker Chloe King; junior defensive specialist and outside hitter Jade Lust; junior defensive specialist Kylee Hutchings; and senior defensive specialist Taylor Krull.

Earling credited the program’s sustained success to the players’ work and their willingness to support one another. After Mariposa completed its second straight unbeaten league season in 2025, she said, “They all work really hard. It’s just really exciting to see them succeed.” That same work ethic carried into a third consecutive perfect league campaign.

Postseason next

Mariposa now turns its attention to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. The section is scheduled to release the girls volleyball brackets by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, with play-in matches set for Monday, Oct. 26. Higher-seeded teams will host through the rounds leading to the section finals.

The Grizzlies’ 14-0 league record and first-place finish assure them of a postseason berth; the official pairing will determine whether their opening match is at home and whether they enter through a play-in or the first full round.

Whatever the draw, Mariposa will enter the postseason hardened by a 37-match regular-season schedule and carrying one of the section’s longest active runs of league dominance. The Grizzlies have now navigated three complete Southern League seasons without a defeat — a streak built not on one standout night, but on match after match of disciplined, balanced volleyball.