Cardinals downed by North Torrance in 2-AA playoffs

Small school Bishop Diego found itself up against North Torrance in the first round of the Division 2-AA CIF playoffs on Tuesday, and fell to the much larger school 25-16, 25-16, 25-20 in Torrance.

“We didn’t match up well physically,” said Cardinals coach Jason Donnelly, whose team finished third in the Tri-Valley League and finishes with a 9-7 record. “They forced us to do things we didn’t want to do.”

Donnelly said North Torrance’s presence at the net was unlike the competition they see most of the season.

“We feel like we didn’t play our best but we competed until the very last point. I was proud of them,” Donnelly said.

Bishop Diego seniors Nicole Tetherow and McKenna Hogue played well in their final high school matches. Tetherow collected 19 assists, six digs and a pair of kills while Hogue knocked down six kills.

Donnelly also singled out defensive specialist Josie McCoy for making some great plays during the match that contributed to her 13 digs.