The #3 Vista Murrieta Lady Broncos (25-5) have relied on the scoring ability of combo guard Serafina Maulupe for the past two years and last Saturday’s CIF-SS Division 1A Quarterfinals game against #6 AB Miller Rebels (23-5, 8-2, #2 Citrus League) was no exception as Vista Murrieta advanced into the semifinals round with a 61-54 win. This is Vista Murrieta’s deepest foray into the CIF playoffs.

Maulupe has adjusted her league leading scoring and playing style this year to accommodate other offensive options: fellow senior Alexis Rivas, juniors Yuendi Guridi and Tatiana Navarro, freshmen Jaelyn Brown and Brittney Reed and sophomores Leitasi Cravens and Alexis Marshall.

"I score when they need me to," said Maulupe, who put up 18 of her 21 points in the second half to lead the Broncos to victory. She went 11-for-13 from the free throw line and they needed all of the points to stave off a 10-0 Miller run in the fourth quarter that brought the Rebels to within a point.

Brown posted a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds despite foul trouble. Cravens scored on six of her seven attempts for 13 points in the first half; she added seven rebounds, three steals and two assists. Reed had 10 points and eleven rebounds.

The Lady Broncos previously dominated Trabuco Hills (58-10), and defeated #14 La Quinta (75-50).

Next face #2 Canyon Springs (18-9, 8-4, Inland Valley #3) in the semifinals who beat Godinez (65-18), #15 Burbank (85-43) and #10 Buena (80-51).