MERCED, Calif. – Juniors Layla Hernandez and Sophia Palmeri combined for 39 kills and a .403 hitting average to lead St. Francis to four straight 2-0 sweeps on the first day of action at the Central California Classic girls' high school volleyball tournament Friday.

The Troubadours breezed through Le Grande (25-6, 25-7), Modesto (25-9, 25-8) and Turlock Christian (25-11, 25-11) before taking on host Merced. St. Francis eked out a 28-26 in the opener against the Bears, then claimed the second set by a 25-12 score to remain undefeated on the season at 9-0.

Hernandez tallied 19 kills against just four errors for a .417 success rate, including seven kills in the tourney opener against the Bulldogs. Sophia Palmeri led all Troubies with 20 kills with six errors for a .389 clip. She stung Le Grand for a perfect 6-for-6 attacking chart, then notched five versus Modesto, four against Turlock Christian and four in the finale with Merced.

Senior Chloe Johnson, largely a back-row player, got to take part in the offense against LGHS, finishing with seven kills on 20 swings. She also picked up three digs in that match, part of 17 for the day.

Sidney Palmeri enjoyed efficient offensive matches against LG (4-1-8 plus six digs) and TC (5-0-9). Junior Gilly Glikman had seven kills against just one error against each of the Panthers and host Bears. Senior Marissa Jensen enjoyed a strong finish to her day, knocking out four kills against the Eagles followed by a team-leading four blocks against Merced.

The undefeated day keeps St. Francis at Merced for Saturday's portion of the tournament, while other teams will relocate to the Golden Valley site. The Troubies open at 8:30 a.m. followed by a 10:30 a.m., with the opponent based on the standings in Pool C (Tokay, Turlock, Chowchilla and Orestimba) and Pool E (El Capitan, Downey, Edison, Madera South and McLane).

Besides varsity's Day 2 action, St. Francis junior varsity is idle on Saturday while the frosh squad competes at Folsom's Bulldog Bash tourney.