Torrey Pines Loses in Volleyball Semifinals

Torrey Pines’ hopes of reaching the finals of the Division I girls’ volleyball state tournament were dashed Tuesday by St. Francis, the top-ranked team from the Northern California Region.

St. Francis of Mountain View defeated the Falcons 16-14, 15-11, 9-15, 15-11, in a semifinal match at St. Francis High. Brita Schwerm led the Central Coast Section Champion Lancers (43-1) with 27 kills.

It was the furthest a Division I team from the San Diego Section has advanced in the state tournament. The Falcons, second-ranked in the Southern California Region, finished the season 31-3.

Southern Section 5-A champion Corona del Mar, the top-ranked team in the southern region, defeated Lynbrook of San Jose in 80 minutes, 15-3, 15-11, 12-15, 15-8 to advance to Saturday’s final at Cal Poly Pomona.

The Sea Kings (27-1) lost to Lynbrook in the semifinals last year, before Lynbrook lost to defending champion Mira Costa in the final. Torrey Pines defeated Mira Costa Saturday night in the regional semifinal in Del Mar.