By MICHAEL COIT
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
A weekend sweep in Southern California has Sonoma State rising in the NCAA Division II volleyball rankings.
Sonoma State moved up three spots to 13th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 poll after road wins at Cal State Los Angeles and Cal State Dominguez Hills.
The wins improved Sonoma State to 10-2 overall and 3-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, where the Seawolves are second behind Cal State San Bernardino. Sonoma State’s only conference loss is to San Bernardino, winners of the CCAA title seven straight seasons.
Helping lead the Seawolves push for a sixth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance are a pair of former Empire prep standouts.
Top outside hitter Caylie Seitz, from Maria Carrillo, is among the conference leaders with nearly four kills a set. Madelyn Densberger, from St. Helena high, is third on the Seawolves in kills and second on the team in digs overall.
Nicole Gragnola, out of Saratoga, is among the conference leaders in digs with nearly five a set.
Sonoma State returns home on Friday to host Cal State Stanislaus, opening a five match homestand for the Seawolves.
