Tologs Can’t Find Answers in State Loss

In its run through the Southern Section and state playoffs, the Flintridge Sacred Heart girls’ volleyball team has responded positively to seemingly every challenge.

But the Tologs didn’t have an answer for 6-foot-2 junior middle blockers Stacy Rouwenhorst and Jennifer Fopma of Cerritos Valley Christian in their 15-13, 15-13, 15-12 loss in the state Division IV semifinals Tuesday at St. Francis High.

Rouwenhorst had 27 kills, 13 blocks and 12 digs and Fopma had 18 kills and 12 blocks as the Crusaders (20-1) put an end to Flintridge Sacred Heart’s dreams of its first state title.

“Defensively we were just missing a bit,” Tolog Coach Nancy Tinkham said. “We haven’t seen big blockers in awhile and it was difficult to make adjustments.”

The Tologs (18-4) opened up a 12-7 lead in the first game, only to have Valley Christian outscore them, 8-1, the rest of the way.