Santa Cruz High’s girls volleyball team suffered a 25-18, 25-17, 26-24 loss to visiting Salinas in nonleague action Tuesday.

The Cowboys improved to 5-1 with their win.

The Cardinals (1-2) return to action Thursday, when they travel to Pacific Grove for a nonleague battle at 6 p.m.

Scotts Valley 3, at Monterey 0 >> Junior outside hitter Hayden Smith had nine kills and seven digs in the Falcons’ 25-12, 25-23, 25-20 nonleague sweep Tuesday.

Junior opposite Aila Papadopoulos and sophomore outside hitter Zoë Norris each had eight kills for the Falcons.

The Falcons (2-0) host Monte Vista Christian on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

St. Francis 3, Anzar 1 >> Georgia Otzman had 15 assists and 10 aces in the Sharks’ 25-7, 25-11, 19-25, 25-16 nonleague win Tuesday.

Peyton Orradre had 11 kills for St. Francis.

The Hawks had difficulties on serve receive. St. Francis’ Carley Anderson had nine aces and teammate Olivia Chavez-Arce had seven aces.The Sharks (2-0) play at Gilroy on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Girls water polo

At Santa Cruz 15, Santa Catalina 8 >> Junior center Violet Rubin scored seven goals and added two assists and six steals, as the Cardinals won their first game of the season Tuesday.

Seniors Daphne Olson and Malia Cooper each scored three goals for Santa Cruz, and Olson had an assist and three steals. Senior teammate and captain Giulia D’Souza had two goals, two assists, a steal, and she drew an ejection. Sophomore Tessa Jefferies added an assist, and sophomore Natalia Orozco and senior Amalia Terrazas each had an assist and a steal. Sophomore Camille Cortazzo recorded two steals.

Sophomore goalie Sage Steller-Croll made six saves and had an assist.

The Cardinals (1-0) host Leigh on Sept. 14 at 10 a.m.

Harbor 21, at Hollister 5 >> Senior captain Abigail Higgins had five goals, five assists, and four steals in the Pirates’ nonleague win Tuesday.

Junior Kate Brandon scored a team-high six goals and had an assist. Senior captain Serena Manildi had three goals, six assists, and seven steals. Senior Zia Jaggar had three goals, three assists, and three steals for the Pirates, sophomore Malalai Martin Etemadi scored twice, and senior Lily Grauman had two assists.

Sophomore goalie Kallista Whitmore amd six saves and allowed two goals over three quarters. Sophomore teammate Athena Forbus played one quarter and made two saves.

Harbor (2-0) plays at Westmont (1-1) in Campbell on Thursday at 5 p.m.

Girls flag football

St. Francis 49, at Pajaro Valley 0 >> Sophomore receiver Maya Calfee had seven catches for 320 yards, and four touchdowns in the Sharks win Tuesday. She also had four flag pulls and made an interception.

Freshmen Quarterback Liliana Whitmeyer completed 18 of 33 pass for nine touchdowns and 1,170 yards. She also had one rushing touchdown, one receiving touchdown and an interception.

Freshmen receiver Evonna Jordan had seven catches for 135 yards and a touchdown, and recorded a sack. Freshmen receiver Keira Grio had five catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns. She also recorded an interception.

Sophomore Talia Moakler pulled six flags and sophomore Mackenzie Ridgway pulled five.

Women’s soccer

At Sierra 8, Cabrillo 0 >> The Seahawks were shut out in their nonconference road match Tuesday.

Goalie Alessandra Zuniga made 12 saves for the Seahawks.

Angelina Kazinec had three goals and an assist for the Wolverines (2-0-0).

Cabrillo (0-2-0) hosts Diablo Valley (2-0-0) on Tuesday at 4 p.m.