Southern Section Volleyball Playoffs : Magnolia Upsets Diamond Bar in 3 Sets

Unseeded Magnolia High School battled back from a 10-1 deficit in the third game of its second-round CIF Southern Section 2-A playoff match to score a 15-12, 15-8, 16-14 victory over third-seeded Diamond Bar Saturday night.

Despite winning the Orange League and compiling a 14-4 regular season record, the Sentinels were ranked ninth in the final CIF 2-A poll.

“We felt we should have been ranked up there all year long,” said Jim Spagle, Magnolia coach. “We knew we needed to play a very good game against Diamond Bar. This is the kind of game a coach lives for, it makes it all worthwhile.”

Michelle Carter, the Orange League most valuable player, led Magnolia with 18 kills and Josette Naranjo had nine saves.

In other 2-A action:

Royal 3, Anaheim 0--The Highlanders eliminated the Colonists, 15-13, 15-9, 15-10 and advanced to the quarterfinals.

In 4-A action:

Torrance 3, Cypress 0--The third-seeded Tartars, champions of the Ocean League, handed Empire League runner-up Cypress a 15-10, 15-5, 15-9 defeat. Nicky Luce had eight kills for the Centurions (16-2).

El Toro 3, Edison 0--South Coast League champion El Toro defeated Edison, 15-10, 15-5, 15-9, and advanced to the quarterfinals. Edison ended its season with a 9-8 record.

Fountain Valley 3, Garden Grove 1--Jackie Cook had 23 kills and 5 blocks to lead the Barons past the Argonauts, 15-5, 5-15 15-13, 15-12 at Garden Grove. Also performing well for Fountain Valley (13-3) were Stephanie Snyder with 41 assists and 9 kills and Christy Svalstad with 9 kills and 29 digs.

Long Beach Wilson 3, Esperanza 0--The Bruins eliminated the Aztecs with a 15-5, 15-7, 15-9 victory and will face Fountain Valley in the quarterfinals.

Jordan 3, Huntington Beach 0--The Panthers eliminated the Oilers with a 15-12, 15-6, 15-13 victory.