Notre Dame volleyball

Division V Northern California State Tournament
Notre Dame (24-11) vs. Branson, Ross (33-1), 7 p.m.
 There will be no shortcuts if the Spirits have any ambition of playing for the programs first ever state volleyball title.
 Defending three-time State Division V champion Branson has swept 30 opponents this year and is 74-2 over the last two seasons.
 Junior Sarah Wallace is one of four players with 100 or more kills, having compiled 375 for the North Coast Section champions while Whitney Hansen has 508 digs.
 The Bulls only setback came from Division I power San Ramon, who was knocked off last week by Menlo-Atherton in the Division I tournament. Menlo-Atherton beat Salinas in the CCS semifinals.
 Behind  Emily Cunanan, Savannah Torres and Blake Burnett, the Spirits were overpowering in their sweep of Woodland Christian in the first round.
 Placement across the net is critical for Notre Dame, as the Bulls front line stands 5-feet-10 or taller across.