SF Valley/North girls’ volleyball: Channel League well represented

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Mira Costa may have proven why it’s considered by many to be the best team in the nation, but a few Channel League teams put up encouraging performances at this weekend’s prestigious Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions.

Host Santa Barbara, the top-ranked team in the Division I-A coaches’ poll, finished fifth overall after defeating St. Francis in a five-game thriller Saturday. OH Kristen Dealy notched 22 kills and 16 digs and teammate Jane Hinkle tallied 10 kills in the victory. In addition, setter Natalie Guerra was honored as an all-tournament team selection.

Dos Pueblos, which fell to the Dons in the fifth-place semifinals, finished eighth after losing to Bishop Montgomery in four. But that didn’t stop Chargers’ OH Caitlin Racich from being named to the all-tourney team.

I think the Chargers will finish second place in the Channel League between SB and Buena, but that could change if they pull off an upset over the visiting Dons on Tuesday. They took SB to four games on Saturday, so it’s possible that the third time is the charm for the Dos Pueblos.

- Austin Knoblauch