HIGH SCHOOL SECTION VOLLEYBALL FINALS : San Dieguito Wins Third Consecutive Title, San Pasqual Its First

The sign on the wall of the Southwestern College gymnasium Friday night said “Three-peat.” And it was a sign of prophecy for San Dieguito High School.

Using a full complement of talented players, the Mustangs completed a remarkable season by winning their third consecutive San Diego Section title, finishing at 16-0 with a 15-4, 4-15, 15-5, 15-8 victory over Palomar League rival Mt. Carmel in the 3-A final.

The Sundevils finished 13-5.

San Pasqual defeated University City in four games to win the 2-A title, 15-4, 15-17, 15-11, 15-8.

The game had special meaning for San Dieguito senior Erik Sullivan, who had a match-high 29 kills and is the only player to have been a part of his team’s three section titles since the sport was sanctioned in 1988.

He admitted that his rivalry with Mt. Carmel’s John Hyden, increased his intensity. Hyden finished with 27 kills.

“We’re going one-on-one for the best player in the county,” said Sullivan, the 1989 player of the year. “I wanted to finish out my senior season strong and not let down, and I think it helps when there’s another quality player on the other side of the net.”

Mustang Coach Terry Calen said the difference in the game was the number of quality players on Sullivan’s side.

“We have six players, and they don’t have six players,” Calen said. “Plus the experience; we’ve been there before.”

Mt. Carmel was making its first championship appearance, and Hyden was its only senior. San Dieguito started four seniors and two juniors. Mt. Carmel started three juniors and two sophomores.

But Calen doesn’t think the dynasty will end here.

“Our junior varsity won the league title, and the guys play club ball year-round,” he said. “We’ll be all right.”

On top of Sullivan’s performance was that of San Dieguito junior Oren Zaslansky, who had 18 kills. Seniors Matt Flemming and Dan Coveny had 13 and 11 kills.

Sophomore Robert Treahy had 13 kills for Mt. Carmel.

2-A Final

San Pasqual d. University City, 15-4, 15-17, 15-11, 15-8--UC’s Aaron Hartin had a record-setting evening, but it was San Pasqual’s balance that provided the Eagles with their first championship.

San Pasqual lost in the finals last year to La Jolla, but this year’s team wouldn’t allow itself to be overcome by Hartin’s flying circus.

“I don’t think there’s another team that can play the whole court as well as we can,” San Pasqual Coach Paula Zimmerman said. “When you look at other teams, they have players that stand out. Players don’t stand out on our team. They don’t get 40 kills, they get 10 each.”

Hartin, who will try to walk on at UCLA next year, was easily the most dominating player on the floor. He set a section championship game record with 41 kills, and his 16-kill effort in the second game eclipsed the 11 set by 1988 player of the year Stace Lougeay of San Dieguito.

Hartin’s previous best game this season was 35 kills.

Although Zimmerman’s players might not stand out on the floor, they certainly do stand tall. Senior Bruce Williams is 6-fee-4 and had 13 blocks to go with 17 kills. Sophomore Matt Noonan (6-4) added 14 kills.

The two teams met for single games twice before in tournaments. San Pasqual won those, 15-3 and 15-7.

“We did the best we could,” UC Coach Paula Zimmerman said. “This game was the No. 2 team trying to knock off the No. 1 team.”