HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS : Poway Tops Mt. Carmel, Gains Semifinals

Poway advanced to the San Diego Section Division I semifinals for the 11th consecutive year with an easy victory over Palomar League rival Mt. Carmel, 15-2, 15-2, 15-11.

Keri Byrne’s 11 kills led the Titans (23-1), who received solid performances throughout their lineup: Kara Milling had five kills and three aces, and Korie Rogers had five kills and two aces. Coach Lisa Reis praised the play of Lindsey Kamen and back row specialist Jen Blankenbeckler.

Poway served 13 aces in the match.

The Titans are trying to win their eighth title in nine years. They face Orange Glen on Tuesday. During Palomar League play, Poway lost only one game this season--to Orange Glen.

Orange Glen 3, Bonita Vista 0--Orange Glen (20-9) knocked off fourth-seeded Bonita Vista (28-6), 15-1, 15-4, 15-13.

“We expected a tough battle,” Baron Coach Charleen Love said. “I expected it to go five games.”

Mira Mesa 3, Fallbrook 0--Samantha Bond had 19 kills and nine blocks to lead second-seeded Mira Mesa to a 16-14, 15-8, 15-11 victory over Fallbrook.

Jennifer Miner added 15 kills and five blocks for Mira Mesa (25-4). Fallbrook fell to 9-13.

San Dieguito 3, RBV 1--San Dieguito got 13 kills from Amy Ferguson and scored a 13-15, 15-10, 15-7, 15-2 victory. Celeste Taylor had six blocks for San Dieguito (26-8), which has won 10 in a row.

Division III Games

Our Lady of Peace 3, Crawford 0--Our Lady of Peace advanced to the semifinals against La Jolla by scoring a 15-7, 15-11, 15-9 victory over Crawford.

Amy Kunde and Kathleen Murphy had 10 kills apiece for OLP (18-7). Murphy added three aces.

“This is the first time that I know of that OLP has gone past the first round of the playoffs,” said Coach Nancy Atkinson, who has been at OLP for five years.

OLP won despite missing one starter--ineligible because of grades--and one bench player, who was out of town. Susie Erpelding and Karey Webber added four kills apiece.

Setter Isabel Sanchez played well for Crawford (7-8) despite the setback.

USDHS 3, Santana 0--University of San Diego High got seven kills apiece from Kara McKeown and Allison White to advance to the finals. USDHS is 14-11. Santana dropped to 1-16.

West Hills 3, Madison 2--West Hills (12-14) upset fourth-seeded Madison, 15-2, 12-15, 15-8, 9-15, 15-5.

“It was a real good match,” Madison Coach RaNae Seaman said. “The momentum changed from one side to the other. Our passing went downhill. That was the turning point, especially in the fifth game. We couldn’t pass.”

Amy Gutowski, a setter and middle hitter, led Madison (12-10).