PREP VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Sylmar Is a Winner in 5 Games

Sylmar High needed five games, but the Spartans’ 15-11, 15-4, 14-16, 13-15, 15-11 victory over Franklin on Saturday night at Occidental College gave them their first City Section Division 3-A girls’ volleyball championship.

Senior Mayra Ariza served nine consecutive points, including six aces, as Sylmar (16-1) appeared to be making quick work of the Panthers after winning the first two sets.

Ariza, who suffers from chronic back pain, aggravated her back in the fourth game but played every point and finished with 30 kills and 13 aces. Eight of the kills came in the final game.

“This is my last game, I had to give it 100%,” Ariza said. “It was now or never.”

Sylmar middle blocker Deanna Turner added 17 kills and six blocks. Outside hitter Anne Guevarra added 15 kills.

Franklin (16-1), the division’s top-seeded team, was led by middle blockers Angelica Barraza and Joy Sukphranee. Barraza had 14 kills and 15 blocks and Sukphranee added 19 kills and 13 blocks.

“I knew with their defense and blocking, there was no way it was going to be three games,” said Sylmar Coach Bob Thomson. “I thought going in it would be four or five.”

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Courtney Owens turned in another impressive performance with 20 kills to lead Santa Ana Calvary Chapel to a 15-4, 15-6, 15-6 victory over Santa Ynez in the Southern Section Division V championships at Cypress College.

The title was the second in a row for Calvary Chapel (17-4), which defeated Cerritos Valley Christian last year.

Jenny Roberts added eights kill and five blocks for the Eagles, whose four losses were to teams that reached sectional finals.

In Division II, Torrance Bishop Montgomery upset top-seeded Long Beach Millikan, 10-15, 9-15, 15-13, 15-9, 15-10.

Lake Arrowhead Rim of the World defeated San Luis Obispo, 16-14, 15-13, 15-6, in Division III.

Defending state champion Brentwood improved its record to 18-1 with a 15-4, 15-10, 11-15, 15-6 victory over previously undefeated Los Angeles Baptist in Division V.

In Division VI, top-seeded Windward defeated Carpinteria Cate, 15-9, 15-7, 16-14.