UPDATE: In a stunning upset, Rocklin High School has won its first-ever CIF NorCal Open Division volleyball title, defeating Archbishop Mitty in a thrilling five-set match on November 18, 2025. Former Mitty coach Bret Almazan-Cezar, now leading Rocklin, orchestrated a remarkable comeback, solidifying his legacy on a court where he previously celebrated numerous championships.
Rocklin faced a daunting challenge, trailing two sets to one, but displayed extraordinary resilience. The Thunder rallied to take the fourth set 25-21 and sealed their victory with a decisive fifth-set score of 15-10. This historic win marks a significant milestone for the school and its volleyball program.
The match unfolded at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, California, where the Monarchs (33-4), ranked No. 7 nationally, had not lost a set in over a month. Rocklin leapt to a quick lead, going up 9-3 in the first set, forcing Mitty to play catch-up. Despite their efforts, the Monarchs lost the opening set 25-21.
“It makes it hard when you’re playing from behind against a good offensive team,” said first-year Mitty coach Jake Spain.
Mitty rebounded in the next two sets, dominating with back-to-back victories of 25-16. However, Rocklin refused to back down. They stormed through the fourth set, quickly establishing a lead and maintaining it to tie the match.
In the decisive fifth set, Rocklin surged ahead 2-0, never relinquishing their advantage. The match concluded with a powerful kill from Thunder middle blocker Rylee Heinz, sending shockwaves through the gym.
“His kids did a really good job in their preparation,” Spain acknowledged, praising Rocklin’s performance.
The loss is a bittersweet end to what had been a promising season for Mitty, who aimed to break their recent streak of defeats in CIF Open state championship games. With Almazan-Cezar standing in their way, the Monarchs were unable to reach that goal.
Reflecting on the match, Almazan-Cezar humorously remarked, “I told the kids, ‘Mitty’s never lost a NorCal championship match in this gym,’ and I went, ‘Oh, that’s me.’”
Despite the defeat, Spain expressed pride in his team, emphasizing their potential for the future. “It’s heartbreaking,” he said. “I love these seniors who give every fiber of their being to wanting to be champions.”
Star players shone in their final appearances, with Mitty’s Makenna Crosson notching a game-high 25 kills before heading to play for the University of Minnesota. Sophomore Chayse Courtney also impressed, contributing 22 kills to the effort.
As Rocklin celebrates this monumental win, the sports community is left buzzing about the implications of this upset and what it means for future matchups. All eyes will be on Rocklin as they look to build on this historic achievement.
