High School Roundup: Laguna girls’ volleyball edged in five

A trip to Cerritos College in Norwalk and the CIF Southern Section girls’ volleyball Division 2AA championship match was on the line Wednesday in Sun Valley for Laguna Beach and host Village Christian.

In a match that needed five sets and went to the wire to decide, top-seeded Village Christian fended off Laguna to score a 25-18, 19-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-13, to secure a spot in the title match.

The Crusaders (30-7), champions of the Olympic League, will meet second-seeded Palos Verdes Peninsula Chadwick in a 10 a.m. final Saturday.

Opposite Jamie Robbins had 14 kills and 10 digs, outside hitter Katelyn Carballo 12 kills and 17 digs, outside hitter Sage Patchell 12 kills and eight digs, middle blocker Cameron Dorn eight kills, defensive specialist Kendyl Brennan 15 digs, and setter Aspen Rocha 34 assists for the Breakers.

Laguna, champion of the Orange Coast League, ended its year 22-11.

“It was a battle that could have gone either way,” Laguna Coach Raul Papaleo said. “We had our chances to close it, but they were a tough opponent.

“I’m proud of my team to fight until the end in this CIF tournament.”

In postseason play, Laguna swept Cerritos Valley Christian, beat Arroyo Grande, 3-2, and swept Pasadena Mayfield in the quarterfinals Saturday to advance to the semifinals.

The Breakers won by sweep in 13 of their final 15 matches.

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Cross-Country

The Laguna Beach boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams will run Saturday in the Division 4 finals of the CIF Southern Section Cross-Country Championships at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut. The championship event begins at 7:45 a.m.

The girls’ Division 4 race, the second race of the day, is scheduled for an 8:05 a.m. start. Teams in the finals race are: Laguna Beach, Atascadero, Big Bear, Bishop Amat, Covina, Crean Lutheran, El Segundo, Fillmore, Foothill Technology, Harvard-Westlake, Immaculate Heart, JSerra, La Canada, Mayfield, Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks, Rosary.

The boys’ Division 4 race, the day’s fourth race, is scheduled for an 8:45 start. Teams in the finals race are: Laguna Beach, Big Bear, Bishop Amat, Covina, Crean Lutheran, El Segundo, Fillmore, Foothill Technology, Harvard-Westlake, JSerra, Orange Lutheran, Nipomo, Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks, Oaks Christian, Santa Ynez, Yucca Valley.

The Breakers are looking to land a spot in the CIF State Cross-Country Championships Nov. 28 at Woodward Park in Fresno.