PREP VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP : Dana Hills Steps Up, Sweeps Past Mater Dei

Dana Hills girls’ volleyball Coach Mike Hurlbut said a three-game victory over Mater Dei on Tuesday night was a statement.

The Dolphins (6-2, 1-0), ranked No. 8 in the county, opened the defense of their first South Coast League championship with a 15-8, 15-9, 15-11 victory over the ninth-ranked Monarchs at Dana Hills High.

“It was not an easy victory, it was as hard fought as I anticipated,” Hurlbut said. “With the win, we are saying it took a lot of pride to win the championship last year and we’re not about to accept (a letdown) on our side of the court.”

Dana Hills took a 6-2 lead with the help of four kills from senior Jenny Kessy. Mater Dei (3-2, 0-1) pulled up to 9-7, but Eryn Gerhard and Kessy helped put away the first game with two kills each.

The Monarchs jumped to a 4-0 lead in Game 2, led by junior Roberta Gehlke’s four kills. The Dolphins caught Mater Dei at 6-6 and led the rest of the game. Tricia Jenssen had two kills and Michele Quon had two aces down the stretch for Dana Hills.

“We stepped up just a bit defensively,” Hurlbut said. “We had much better position and made fewer errors. It was important that our team knows it can close out a match.”

Mater Dei hung with the Dolphins through most of Game 3 and led as late as 10-8. Gehlke had 11 of her 24 kills in the third game to keep the Monarchs close.

Trailing by two, Kessy and Jenssen took charge. Kessy had two of her team-high 16 kills down the stretch, including the game-winning point, and Jenssen had two kills to help set up match point.

Sophomore setter Natalie Luna had 50 assists, Jenssen had nine kills and Skye Lewis had eight kills for the Dolphins.

Anna Geber had six kills for the Monarchs.