Nordhoff Faces El Molino in Girls’ Final

Since first playing together as 11- and 12-year-olds, several members of what is now the Nordhoff High girls’ volleyball team have harbored dreams of winning a state championship.

The Rangers (23-3) will have a chance to turn that goal into reality today at 11 a.m. when they meet El Molino of Forrestville for the state Division IV title at Cal State Fullerton.

Seniors Sami Sawyer, Alison Nofrey, Allison Kerr, Joanna Sandefur and Sarah Wright have been teammates since they were youngsters on the Ojai Valley Volleyball Club, giving the Rangers a strong backbone of experience.

And newcomers Jami Sawyer, Julie Sandefur and Tacy Franklin have provided Nordhoff with balance and depth.

A five-game victory over Oakhurst Yosemite on Tuesday in the Southern California regional final vaulted the Rangers into the state final for the third time in eight years, but for the first time since they won the 1986 Division II title.

Coach Cheryl Glass also directed Nordhoff to the Division II championship match in 1985, a five-game loss to South San Francisco.

Standing in the way of another title is an El Molino squad that relies heavily on ball control, the defensive play of seniors Amy Winkelman and Amber Amoss and the offensive combination of junior setter Sara Johnson and senior outside hitter Freya Kovalaske.

The Lions (26-3) displayed strong serving and ball control in winning the Northern California regional with wins over Willows, Mitty and Tuesday over St. Helena.