Rocklin Shocks Mitty, Claims First CIF NorCal Volleyball Title

UPDATE: In a stunning upset, former Archbishop Mitty coach Bret Almazan-Cezar led Rocklin High School to its first-ever CIF NorCal Open Division volleyball championship by defeating Mitty on November 18, 2025, at Mitty’s home court in San Jose. After trailing two sets to one, Rocklin surged back to win the pivotal fourth set 25-21 and clinched the fifth set 15-10, leaving the Monarchs shocked.

This victory marks a historic moment for Rocklin, who finishes the season with an impressive record of 37-4. Almazan-Cezar, known for his successful two-decade tenure at Mitty, returned to his former home and delivered a championship victory that will be remembered for years. “I made sure when they took our pictures, they got the banners in there too,” he remarked after the match.

Mitty, ranked No. 7 nationally and riding a lengthy winning streak, faced an uphill battle from the start. Rocklin’s early lead of 9-3 in the first set set the tone, forcing Mitty to scramble and ultimately lose that set 25-21. Despite a strong response in sets two and three, where hitters Makenna Crosson and Chayce Courtney dominated with back-to-back 25-16 victories, Rocklin’s resilience shone through in the final sets.

The Thunder’s comeback in the fourth set was a game-changer. They quickly established a lead and maintained it, pushing the match into a decisive fifth set. Rocklin’s momentum continued as they took a commanding 2-0 lead in the final set, eventually sealing their victory with a final kill from Rylee Heinz.

“His kids did a really good job in their preparation,” said first-year Mitty coach Jake Spain. “They played into what we thought, and we didn’t do a great job of stopping it.” This loss concludes a bittersweet season for Mitty, which was anticipated to break its recent streak of setbacks in CIF Open state championship games.

Almazan-Cezar’s return was filled with emotion, as he expressed pride in his new team’s performance against his former squad. “It was interesting because I told the kids, ‘Mitty’s never lost a NorCal championship match in this gym,’” he noted with a smile.

As Rocklin celebrates this monumental achievement, Mitty faces the challenge of rebuilding for next season, with promising players like sophomore Chayce Courtney, who delivered 22 kills, poised to lead the way. “It’s heartbreaking,” Spain reflected, acknowledging the effort and dedication of his senior players who fought hard but fell short.

With the conclusion of this year’s CIF NorCal Open Division championship, all eyes will be on both teams as they prepare for what lies ahead. Rocklin aims to build on this success, while Mitty looks to regroup and emerge stronger in the next season.