VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS

Roosevelt d. Chatsworth, 5-15, 15-12, 15-13, 15-10--The Chancellors, who last season became the first area girls’ volleyball team to win the City Section 4-A title, could not repeat the title feat, losing at Occidental College.

Top-seeded Chatsworth (25-2) breezed through the first game, collecting four kills from Tynitra Wilson.

But second-seeded Roosevelt (17-0) jumped to a 4-0 lead in a lengthy second game.

Fifty-two sideouts later, Roosevelt, behind five kills by Lisa Valenzuela, tied the match, 1-1.

Roosevelt won a disjointed third game that was halted twice.

The first stoppage, for an illegal rotation, cost Chatsworth a point.

The second stoppage was a little more costly. Jennifer Joseph, perhaps Chatsworth’s best player, left because of a cramp in her right leg.

Still, the Chancellors had a 12-9 lead until poor service receiving did them in.

Marisela Santoyo served three aces and the Chancellors, trailed in games, 2-1.

Joseph returned to start the fourth game, but could not finish, and Chatsworth, which took an 8-2 lead, could not hang on.

“Not having Jennifer in the game threw us off,” Michelle George said. “We have some good players, but so do they.”

Roosevelt went almost exclusively to Valenzuela, who had 24 kills, six in its comeback.

“They’re just an outstanding team,” said Chatsworth Coach Bud Dow, who received 16 kills from Joseph and 14 from Kim Pickup.

“Everything we tried, they threw right back into our face.”

Chatsworth was trying to become the only team besides Palisades to repeat in the 24-year history of the 4-A playoffs.

“The first game, we were so ready,” said George, who had eight kills. “And then we mentally broke down. I guess we thought we were going to take it.”