Riding the momentum that carried them to district championships, Brandeis and Smithson Valley recorded playoff victories in a doubleheader held Thursday at Littleton Gym.
Junior Cecily Alva had 15 kills and freshman Addison Wells had 40 ***** ists to lead Brandeis to a 25-17, 25-18, 26-24 victory against Pieper in a Class 6A Division II first-round playoff.
Meanwhile, freshman Victoria Jaster had 22 kills, and senior Emma Feomaia had 41 ***** ists for Smithson Valley in a 25-20, 25-20, 23-25, 25-12 win against Alamo Heights in a 5A Division I playoff.
Brandeis climbed out of a third-set hole to secure the sweep. Junior Olivia Munoz added 14 kills and junior Addison Rodgers had 12 for the Broncos, who improved to 30-13 and next face Dripping Springs - a five-set winner over Round Rock Stony Point Thursday - in the second round.
Brandeis trailed 17-11 in the third set before mounting its comeback. Pieper (27-16) nearly stretched it to a fourth set after taking a 23-18 lead. The Broncos responded with a 6-0 run to reach match point at 24-23. Alva had two kills and Araceli had an ace during that stretch.

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