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GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS : County Teams Seek Redemption in State Tournament

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

Redemption will be a common motivator for the Laguna Beach, Mater Dei and Calvary Chapel girls’ volleyball teams today in the second round of the CIF State tournament.

In Division I, Laguna Beach will play at Manhattan Beach Mira Costa at 7 p.m. in a rematch of the Southern Section Division I final, which the Artists lost in four games.

Mater Dei, awarded an at-large berth to the State Division I tournament after losing to Laguna Beach in the section semifinals, will play at Bakersfield Stockdale at 2 p.m.

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Defending Division IV State-champion Calvary Chapel, which lost to Brawley in the section quarterfinals, will play at El Cajon Christian at 5:30 p.m.

The Artists (18-4) were unseeded in the Southern Section tournament but defeated second-seeded Dana Hills in the quarterfinals and third-seeded Mater Dei in the semifinals to advance to the championship game.

Laguna Beach Coach Bill Christiansen is looking forward to the rematch with the Mustangs (23-3).

“[We] are seeking a little revenge and . . . respect,” he said.

In order to be successful against the Mustangs, the Artists will have to find a way to handle the mean jump serve of outside hitter Kristin Sigel and the powerful arm of outside hitter Rochelle Esparza, who had 22 kills in the section final.

Laguna Beach will be without 6-foot-1 reserve middle blocker Perrin Stitick, who severely sprained her ankle in the Artists’ five-game victory at San Diego Mt. Carmel Tuesday in the first round of the State tournament.

Mater Dei (21-3) was ranked No. 2 in the state before losing to Laguna Beach on Nov. 14. When the Monarchs received the State tournament at-large berth, Coach Pete West said it was, “a chance to redeem ourselves.”

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Mater Dei swept City Section champion Roosevelt (25-2) in the first round of the State tournament. Stockdale (29-3), the Central Section champion, is led by 5-11 outside hitter Casie Hyatt. Mater Dei defeated Stockdale earlier this season in four games to win a tournament title at Encinitas Torrey Pines High.

Calvary Chapel (16-2) won section titles in 1993 and 1994 before being upset in the quarterfinals this season. The Eagles are hoping 6-2 middle blocker Jenny Roberts, a two-time all-state selection, will lead them to a second consecutive State title.

El Cajon Christian (25-5) is led by Western League co-most valuable player Jenny Wenning, a senior outside hitter.

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