High School Roundup : Poway Affirms Its Volleyball Talent, Rolls to Tournament Title

If there were any doubts which San Diego Section girls’ volleyball team would be the one to beat this season, Poway’s performance in the Parker/Mizuno Tournament at UC San Diego Friday and Saturday might have ended them.

Poway went 9-0 through pool play, stopped two-time defending 2-A champ University of San Diego High in the semifinals (15-9, 10-15, 15-13) and defeated Palomar League rival Torrey Pines in the finals, 8-15, 15-10, 15-9.

“I hoped we haven’t peaked,” Poway Coach Lisa Reis said. “I’m glad we won, but it doesn’t mean anything. If we’re peaked now, I’m in trouble. What counts is what happens in two months.”

Poway figured to be among the top teams in the county, almost by habit. In the past six years, Poway has placed first three times, second once and third twice (including last season).

“These girls are real hungry,” Reis said. “My philosophy is the more we win, the harder we work. We have to keep our intensity up; that’s my job.”

In the final, Poway was led by the tournament’s most valuable player, junior setter Amy Boyer, and senior hitter Paige Smith.

Torrey Pines surprised some observers by coming out of pool play ahead of USDHS. Torrey Pines easily got by Francis Parker, 16-14, 16-14, in the semifinals but lost setter Jacey Hay to an ankle injury. Coach Jim Harrah shuffled sophomore Amy Peters from the middle to the outside and Suzy Biszantz to setter for the final and said the team wasn’t hurt by the switch.

Poway and Torrey Pines will get a rematch when they open league play Thursday at Torrey Pines.