PREP VOLLEYBALL / STATE FINALS : Calvary Chapel a Match Away From 2nd Title

Jenny Roberts is one match from realizing her dream of a second consecutive state volleyball championship.

Roberts, one of the county’s top middle blockers, will lead Calvary Chapel (18-2) against Linden (29-1) in the state Division IV final at 11 a.m. today at Cal State Fullerton.

“I want it really bad,” she said.

Roberts’ hunger for the title intensified after the Eagles were upset by Brawley Nov. 14 in the quarterfinals of the Southern Section Division IV tournament.

“It was like losing a dream. We have a lot of young players on our team. And as a senior, it taught me I have to be more of a leader. I let down,” she said.

Calvary Chapel was awarded an at-large berth to the state Division IV tournament and did not lose a game in its first two matches. It defeated Tollhouse Sierra, 3-15, 15-9, 12-15, 15-7, 15-7 in the Southern Regional final to advance to the state championship.

Roberts, a middle blocker, is a two-time first-team all Southern Section selection and has orally committed to Hawaii. Roberts should pose a considerable threat to Linden because of her height (6 feet 2).

“We’re not big but every single team we’ve played, it seems like has been big and we’ve just had to adjust to that and we’ve done it through quickness and ball control and athletic ability,” Linden Coach Bill Rood said.

Linden won the state Division III title in 1990 and was runner-up in 1988 and 1989. The Lions won their 11th consecutive Mother Lode League championship and its second-consecutive Sac-Joaquin Division IV title this season.

Linden is led by the league’s co-most valuable player selections Natalie Reyes, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter, and Erika Selsor, a sophomore setter. Selsor served 119 aces during the regular season with her jump serve.