Rocklin Claims First CIF NorCal Open Volleyball Title, Shocking Mitty

UPDATE: In a stunning upset, Rocklin High School, led by former Archbishop Mitty coach Bret Almazan-Cezar, clinched its first-ever CIF NorCal Open Division volleyball title by defeating Mitty on November 18, 2025. Rocklin rallied from two sets to one down, sealing the championship with a decisive fifth set score of 15-10.

The match took place at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, where Almazan-Cezar previously dominated as head coach for over two decades. The Thunder’s victory marks a historic achievement for the school, which has never won an Open title before.

The match began with Rocklin surging to a quick lead, going up 9-3 in the first set and ultimately winning it 25-21. Mitty, ranked No. 7 nationally, fought back to win the next two sets, showcasing their strength with hitters Makenna Crosson and Chayse Courtney leading the charge. However, Rocklin’s resilience shone through as they took control in the fourth set, winning 25-21 after once again establishing an early lead.

Rocklin’s momentum carried into the fifth set, where they took a commanding 2-0 lead and maintained it to secure the championship. The final kill was delivered by Thunder middle blocker Rylee Heinz, sealing the victory and sending Rocklin into celebration.

In a poignant moment, Almazan-Cezar reflected on his return to Mitty, stating, “I told the kids, ‘Mitty’s never lost a NorCal championship match in this gym,’ and they thought that was funny.” His ability to guide Rocklin to victory against his former team demonstrates his coaching prowess and the hard work of his players.

Mitty’s head coach Jake Spain acknowledged the challenge of facing a strong Rocklin team, noting, “His kids did a really good job in their preparation. They played into what we thought, and we didn’t do a great job of stopping it.” Despite the loss, Spain remains optimistic about the future, emphasizing the potential of his team moving forward.

The defeat marks a heartbreaking conclusion to a promising season for Mitty, who had been on a significant winning streak prior to this match. The Monarchs, with a record of 33-4, were seen as favorites but could not overcome Rocklin’s tenacity.

As the dust settles on this thrilling championship showdown, all eyes will be on both teams as they prepare for the upcoming seasons. Rocklin celebrates its historic victory, while Mitty looks to regroup and build on the lessons learned from this intense matchup.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and future volleyball championships as schools across the region strive for glory.