GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL STATE PLAYOFF ROUNDUP : Calvary Chapel Serves Up Victory Over Clairemont

Julee Elliott had eight of Calvary Chapel’s 18 aces as the top-seeded Eagles easily swept San Diego Clairemont, 15-4, 15-1, 15-3, in the first round of the girls’ volleyball Southern California Regionals Tuesday at Calvary Chapel.

The Eagles never trailed in the match, which took only 50 minutes.

It was a repeat of last year’s first-round matchup, which Calvary Chapel also swept en route to the Division IV State final, which the Eagles lost in four games to San Jose Archbishop Mitty.

Calvary Chapel (18-4) will play host to Holtville a winner in four games over Sierra Madre Maranatha, in the second round Saturday.

Clairemont (16-5) was the runner-up in the San Diego Section Division IV playoffs, but was clearly not the caliber of team Calvary Chapel faced in the Southern Section, which the Eagles won Saturday against Santa Ynez.

“We have to play every game like it’s important,” Calvary Chapel Coach Jim Downey said. “We have to keep going out there and try to improve.”

The Eagles took a 6-2 lead in the opening minutes as Whitney Hoover started the game with two aces and Sara Roberts and Jenny Roberts had two kills.

Kelly Eikermann’s kill then made it 14-4 and Lynn Lovingier finished the game with another ace for the Eagles.

The Eagles continued to serve tough in Game 2, getting eight aces.

Elliott rotated in the game and aced five of the last seven points for Calvary Chapel.

Clairemont seemed to adjust to the serves early in the third game, but Elliott again rotated in and had three aces for a 15-3 victory.

Jenny Roberts led the Eagles with seven kills and Courtney Owens added four.

In a Division V match:

La Jolla Bishop’s 3, St. Margaret’s 0--The Tartans lost, 15-6, 15-4, 15-4, and end with an 11-6 record.