Bishop Montgomery Stops Corona del Mar

At first, it looked as if the Corona del Mar girls’ volleyball team could extend its improbable run.

But host Torrance Bishop Montgomery High ousted the Sea Kings with a 6-15, 15-5, 15-4, 16-14 victory in a Division III state semifinal match Tuesday night.

The Sea Kings (21-11) played flawlessly in the first game, silencing a sizable home crowd.

After a 5-5 tie, two aces from Jamie Brownell triggered a 6-0 run by Corona del Mar. Dimitra Havriluk, with 17 kills in the match, led Corona del Mar’s attack. But the key in the first game was balance, with Meghan Gallagher and Marissa Becker also getting good hits. Becker had five kills in that game.

The Knights led for the entire second game. And they transformed a 3-0 deficit in the third game into a 15-4 win.

Bishop Montgomery rolled out to a 7-1 lead in Game 4, and it seemed as the match was going to end soon. But the Sea Kings came back to take a 12-9 lead. Bishop Montgomery came back, but Corona del Mar had a game point at 14-13 with the serve. The Knights got a sideout and seemingly tied the game on an Olsovsky kill off a Corona del Mar blocker. But with differing calls, the point was replayed. Bishop Montgomery won the point, and served out for the match.

In Division V:

St. Margaret’s 3, Visalia Central Valley Christian 0--Allison Bendush had 11 kills and eight digs to lead the Tartans, 15-9, 15-11, 16-14, in San Juan Capistrano. St. Margaret’s will play Ripon Christian for the state championship Saturday at Cypress College.

In the first game, with Visalia leading, 3-0, St. Margaret’s Monique Kettler blocked Cavalier hitter Lauren Ballou for the Tartans’ first point. Later in the game, a kill by Aynsley Andrews gave the Tartans a 7-5 lead and momentum they never lost.

In the second game, a kill by Marissa Balak gave the Tartans a 3-0 lead. St. Margaret’s pounded the Cavalier defense with tough blocking and a series of hard-hit balls by Kettler and Jenny Busch.

Visalia rallied to tie the score, 5-5, after trailing 5-0. An errant shot by Ballou gave the Tartans the game, 15-11.

“These girls decided to fight it out in the third game,” Tartan Coach Susie Maga said.

Visalia built a 8-3 lead in Game 3, but the Tartans rallied behind Bendush. An ace by Bendush tied the game at 10. On the ensuing play, an ace by Kammie Hauser put the Tartans ahead, 12-11.

With the score 15-14, Kiley Hill set up Jenny Busch, who put it away.