Newport Harbor Defeats Mira Costa

April Ross had 21 kills and 16 digs to help top-seeded Newport Harbor win its third consecutive Southern Section Division I-AA girls’ volleyball championship with a 15-4, 15-8, 15-9 victory over second-seeded Manhattan Beach Mira Costa Saturday at Cypress College.

Newport Harbor (22-1) became the first school in section history to win three consecutive top division championships.

It was also the third time Newport Harbor defeated Mira Costa to win the Division I-AA championship. Newport Harbor beat the Mustangs in 1994 and ’97. Last season, Newport Harbor defeated Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley.

Krista Dill had 13 kills and five blocks and junior Heather Cullen had 13 kills and three blocks for Newport Harbor.

Kristin Nelson had 12 kills for second-seeded Mira Costa (23-4), which has won nine section titles and was making its 15th appearance in the final.

DIVISION I-A

Santa Barbara San Marcos def. Santa Ana Mater Dei, 15-11, 12-15, 15-9, 15-7--Jaima Ortega, a 6-foot-2 senior middle blocker, had 25 kills and eight blocks and senior Erica Menzel had 14 kills and 16 digs to lead second-seeded San Marcos to its first section title.

Top-seeded Mater Dei (17-2) struggled at times, and the Royals (18-5) capitalized.

Mater Dei led Game 1, 11-7, but San Marcos scored the final eight points. Any momentum the Monarchs had gained by winning Game 2 was squashed when the Royals took a 10-3 lead in Game 3, which Menzel and Ortega closed out with two kills.

Game 4 was more of the same. Digging the ball consistently, the Royals put together a six-point run during setter Mandy Bible’s serve to take command with a 10-5 lead.

San Marcos ended it with Menzel digging a spike attempt by Mulligan and Ortega putting one away from the middle.

DIVISION II-AA

Santa Margarita def. South Torrance, 15-7, 15-0, 9-15, 15-6--Outside hitter Caroline Skacel had eight kills and 11 digs to lead the top-seeded Eagles to their fourth consecutive title.

Santa Margarita (19-6) scored six of the final seven points to win Game 1. The Eagles then registered a rare sweep in Game 2, as the Spartans (16-7) could only mount a handful of side outs.

But when Santa Margarita began to relax, South Torrance won Game 3 convincingly.

Game 4 was all Santa Margarita. Monique Gerlach made three kills as the Eagles raced out to a 9-0 lead.

DIVISION II-A

Lakewood St. Joseph def. West Covina South Hills, 16-14, 15-3, 15-9--St. Joseph was pushed in the first game, but the Jesters pulled through and went on to record the sweep for their first section title.

St. Joseph lost to La Habra in five games the II-A championship match last season.

DIVISION IV-AA

Notre Dame Academy def. Laguna Beach, 16-14, 10-15, 15-12, 13-15, 15-11--Alyssa Rylander had 22 kills and 21 digs and Mari Bell had 44 assists and 23 kills to lead Notre Dame Academy (21-3) to its second title under 20-year Coach Tom Brenner.

DIVISION IV-A

Santa Ana Calvary Chapel def. Brentwood, 15-5, 15-12, 15-11--Senior middle blocker Christy Kimmel had a match-high 18 kills and added two aces as the second-seeded Eagles (16-2) won the championship after losing in the title match in 1996 and ’98.

DIVISION V-A

Hemet Baptist Christian def. Thousand Oaks Hillcrest Christian, 15-5, 15-2, 15-13--Rubie Ochoa had 12 kills and Leslie DeKiewiet added 11 as the top-seeded Warriors (22-0) won their second consecutive championship.