Torrance Rolls to Division III Championship

Led by outside hitter Kim Blankinship, the Torrance High volleyball team defeated South Torrance, 15-12, 15-9, 15-7, for their second consecutive Southern Section Division III championship Saturday at Cerritos College.

Entering the final, South Coach Guy Takashima’s game plan was to try to slow down Blankinship. But South (15-5), which lost to Torrance (21-0) twice during the regular season and finished second to the Tartars in the Pioneer League, was not able to follow through as the 5-foot-8 outside hitter finished with 20 kills.

The 16-team State tournament begins Tuesday for both squads. As division runner-up, South automatically qualifies for State.

“We came out with a definite game plan,” Takashima said. “We wanted to take Kim out of her game. She’s got them out of many tough situations.

“We wanted to wear her out so we served her tough and tried to key on her with our blocking. I think we took her out a little bit, but they made an adjustment.”

Torrance’s sweep extended its consecutive-match winning streak to 55. The Tartars closest scare came in the first game when Spartan Stephanie Pfau blocked a shot to close the score to 12-11. But Torrance maintained its composure to hold on for the 15-12 victory.

“No matter what happened, (our players) were able to stay focused,” Torrance Coach John Radcliffe said. “Everything seemed to come together for these girls.”

Blankinship said that South had improved since the first two games.

“They played a lot better than they’ve ever played against us,” she said. “It was a great matchup. I think they were a lot more fired up than before.”

But Blankinship said she was never worried about the outcome of the first game or match.

“I know we always pull it out,” she said. “I have faith in all my teammates. . . . They play with a lot of heart.”