The team poses for a photo after defeating Kennedy. The victory secured a third-place finish in League play and trip to the playoffs for the first time since competing in Division 1 of the Metro League.

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - For the first time since 2023, the Cordova Lady Lancers find themselves in the thick of postseason action. 

Following a 3-1 (25-22, 20-25, 25-20, 25-22) victory at home against Kennedy on Monday, Oct. 19, the Lady Lancers officially secured third place within the Metro League and a spot within the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-in bracket.

It is the first time the Lady Lancers have qualified for postseason play under Head Coach Jaimee Stevenson, who took over the varsity program in 2024. The Lady Lancers finished the regular season with a 15-12 overall record including a 5-5 mark in league play, and that comes on the heels of finishing in last place within the Metro League the past two seasons.

Junior Annabelle Cody hits a hard shot to the right of the Kennedy blockers for a point.

Needless to say, clinching a postseason berth against Kennedy on what was Senior Night for Cordova was a big accomplishment. 

“It’s really hard to put into words,” Stevenson said of what it meant to her and the team to qualify for the postseason. “We were dead last in our first two years (in the Metro League). To jump from dead last to making the playoffs was a really big moment for all of them. It was Senior Night which made it extra special and the crowd was incredible, so it was just the perfect combination. The seniors this year are girls that I've had since their freshman year. They came up with me from junior varsity, so it's a memory I'll treasure for a lifetime that's for sure.”

Against the Cougars (11-24 overall, 4-6 Metro League) the Lady Lancers were led by the standout play of sophomore outside hitter Rowan Ankaa, who tallied an impressive 12 kills and four aces, both of which led Cordova. Junior middle blocker Asena Qoro racked up 12 total blocks to lead the team defensively, and senior team captain Isabel Stevenson came through with a team-leading 29 digs and 29 receptions in a strong effort. Six seniors were also honored on the night including Isabel Stevenson, Sophia Caceres, Rihanat Folorunsho, Paytyn Garner, Brie Colianna and Jada Oliver, in what was a well-deserved moment of recognition. 

Junior Madisyn Keys hits a kill shot for a point against Kennedy.

For Coach Stevenson, making the playoffs is also a big moment for her family as she has been coaching up her daughter Isabel Stevenson for the past four years. The coach often preferred to speak about the team as a whole without any preferential treatment but recognized that this is a core memory for her family as the senior team leader is set to graduate this year. 

“It's not easy to have your mom as your coach,” Stevenson said. “To share her and all of the various dynamics that go into play, the type of coach that I am, I come home from any kind of growth moment that happens and I swim in it. I reflect in it, I ruminate, and she is often a thought partner in that. She has invested in my development and all of the girls have, but off the court and away from the gym she has also invested in my development as a coach to rise to the type of coach that this team needs. I appreciate her willingness to see me as more than her mom, but as a person and a coach, and to continue to grow together. I think that's a really important part of life for adults to recognize we learn as much from our kids and from our players as they do from us. Senior night was very stressful so I didn't get to take that in as much as her mom, but getting to see her and her team and all of the work that they put in together come to fruition was really, really special.”

Head Coach Jaimee gives her team a pep talk during a time out against Kennedy.

The Cordova Lancers wound up as the 14b seed in the CIF Sac Joaquin Division I bracket and were matched up against 14a seed Inderkum. Their play-in game took place on Monday, Oct. 26 at Inderkum, however final results were not available at press time. Entering the matchup, Coach Stevenson felt her team was up to the task. 

“I think one thing about this team is that they tend to rise to the occasion when there is a newness to things,” she said. “They've never played Inderkum before and they don't have a barometer to measure themselves up to, so that's really exciting for them to challenge themselves and see how they can grow.”

Sophomore Rowan Ankas tips the ball over the net to keep the rally alive against Kennedy.