SACRAMENTO — Ripon Christian extended its season in exciting fashion Thursday.

The Knights trailed two sets to one in a back-and-forth affair with No. 3-seeded Sacramento Country Day, but they battled back for a 28-26, 23-25, 25-27, 25-11, 15-12 victory. Mackenzie Miller punctuated the win with the last of her 12 kills, sending sixth-seeded Ripon Christian to the Sac-Joaquin Division VI semifinals.

“Game plan was to maintain composure when they would battle back,” Ripon Christian coach Jocelyn Benziger said. “We practiced a lot this week on back-row defense and they did a phenomenal job following through with what we discussed. It was a great game, intense battle. I was really proud of them.”

Paige Vos and Taylor Alger led the way for the Knights (18-14). Vos compiled 30 kills, four aces, six digs and three blocks, while Alger ended her busy knight with 50 assists. 

“Taylor played amazing,” Benziger said. “Her sets were on point, and her and Paige were just connecting.”

Renae Heida contributed eight kills. Bethany Silveira (19 digs) and Emily Manes (13 digs) anchored the defense.

The Knights will take a shorter trip to their next match, as they head to No. 2 Big Valley Christian (28-5) next Tuesday. Big Valley defeated No. 7 Sacramento Waldorf in four, 21-25, 25-14, 25-19, 25-23. 

“Pretty excited,” Benziger said. “It would have been nice to get some home games, but Big Valley is great.”