STATE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : DIVISION V : Capistrano Valley Christian Wins Second Title in Row

Capistrano Valley Christian, led by outside hitters Kathleen Bunce and Karen Benkovsky, won its second consecutive State Division V girls’ volleyball title Saturday by defeating San Jose Sacred Heart Prep, 15-7, 15-3, 15-5, at Cal State Fullerton.

The Eagles also defeated Sacred Heart for the 1991 title. They reached the ’92 finals by defeating La Jolla Bishop’s School, Immanuel Reedley and Calvary Chapel, each in three games.

“They were able to maintain a high level of proficiency regardless of the pressure on these guys to perform,” Capistrano Valley Christian Coach Dave Barkley said. “(They) hung in there and did it as a team.”

With Capistrano Valley Christian leading, 13-5, in the third game, Megan Mahlstadt came off the bench to serve out the match. Elise Bradley had two kills, including match point.

“It was a different feeling than last year,” Bunce said, “more emotional than anything else . . . We went through the mental, the physical. This game was real emotional.”

In the first game, junior setter Debbie Martin, who had 24 assists, helped Capistrano Valley Christian take a 5-0 lead with some tough serving. Heidi Elliott, who finished with five kills and five blocks, served the final four points of the game. Benkovsky had two kills among those four.

Benkovsky, who recorded a .500 kill average, led Capistrano Valley Christian (22-0) with 13 kills, seven digs and two block assists.

Bunce had 11 kills and three blocks. Her six aces broke the State championship Division V record of five, which she set in 1991.

“It’s a different caliber of volleyball,” Sacred Heart outside hitter Debbie Walery said.

Sacred Heart Coach Sue Friedenbach agreed. “The Northern Region is so much weaker; the competition isn’t there. We’re not used to getting the whistles, and our kids started getting sloppy.”

Walery and middle blocker Heather Brady had four kills apiece for Sacred Heart (25-4). Alexis Felts had five aces and seven digs for the Gators.

Capistrano Valley Christian’s Bunce, Benkovsky, Elliott and Martin were named to the Division V all-tournament team, and Walery and setter Felicia Tornabene were named from Sacred Heart.