PLACERVILLE, Calif. — The gymnasium inside El Dorado High School erupted Saturday night as the Cougars completed the biggest win in program history.
El Dorado High School’s varsity boys volleyball team claimed the 2026 CIF Northern California Division IV Regional Championship with a gritty five-set victory over Balboa High School, defeating the Buccaneers 25-15, 19-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-11 in front of a packed home crowd.
The victory sends the Cougars to the CIF State Championship for the first time in school history.
Senior standout Cadence Hoyt delivered a dominant performance with 30 kills, repeatedly lifting El Dorado through momentum swings during the intense regional final. The Cougars leaned on veteran leadership throughout the night, weathering two Balboa comeback pushes before closing out the decisive fifth set.
“This is the first regional championship for EDHS boys volleyball and the first trip to states,”
head coach Jim Curtis said following the match.
Curtis, widely known around the program for his energetic sideline presence and ability to engage the home crowd, helped create a playoff atmosphere that fueled the Cougars during critical stretches of the match. Players, parents and students packed the gym as El Dorado fought off Balboa’s late rallies.
The championship roster reflects the culture Curtis and his coaching staff have spent years building. The 2026 squad features seven seniors, including Hoyt and Christian Randolph, combined with a strong junior core that helped power El Dorado through both section and regional postseason play.
Curtis also credited assistant coaches Jessica Voelker, Tyler Lindsey and Emma Miles for helping develop the varsity and junior varsity pipeline that contributed to the program’s historic breakthrough season.
The Cougars entered regional play fresh off winning the 2026 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV title, but Saturday’s victory elevated the season into unprecedented territory for the Placerville program.
Now, El Dorado has one final hurdle remaining.
The Cougars will face Southern California regional champion Point Loma High School in the CIF State Championship match on Saturday, May 30, at Fresno City College. First serve is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Digital tickets for the state championship are available through GoFan, and the match will also be streamed live online.
For El Dorado County volleyball fans, Saturday’s regional championship already secured the team’s place in local sports history. A state title would make the Cougars’ postseason run unforgettable.
