Skacel Helps Santa Margarita Continue Its Winning Habit

Winning Southern Section girls’ volleyball titles has become a yearly ritual for Santa Margarita and senior outside hitter Caroline Skacel. Sort of like Christmas--gifts included.

Skacel, a four-year varsity player, was a guiding force as the top-seeded Eagles won their fourth consecutive section championship with a 15-7, 15-0, 9-15, 15-6 triumph over third-seeded South Torrance on Saturday in the Division II-AA final at Cypress College.

Skacel achieved perfection in her high school career, winning a title in each of her four years. She was a reserve as a freshman, a part-time starter as a sophomore and a star as a junior and senior.

“I don’t know how to explain it,” said Skacel, who took home a championship letter jacket patch after registering eight kills and 11 digs. “Playing hard really pays off. You feel like you did something for the school.”

No explanations were necessary. Skacel’s expression said it all.

“The look on her face, it was more excited than the year before,” Santa Margarita Coach Eddie Rapp said. “This is her senior year.

“I remember her as a freshman. She came in and played great defensively. She’s leaving as a senior playing tremendous defense and has a terrific attack.”

While Santa Margarita (19-6) has maintained a stranglehold on itsSouthern California division the last four years, the school hasn’t won a state title. The Eagles begin their quest for the state Division II crown Tuesday against an opponent to be determined today.

Santa Margarita players were too busy celebrating Saturday afternoon to worry about their next match. Gleeful Eagles piled on top of each other in a formation that resembled human Pick-Up-Stix after a South Torrance player hit out of bounds on match point.

“It was the best feeling,” Skacel said of the festivities. “All the hard work paid off.”

“All the running, the lifting weights,” middle blocker Monique Gerlach added, eliciting knowing laughter from Skacel.

Santa Margarita dominated early, scoring six of the final seven points to win Game 1. The Eagles then registered a rare shutout 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. With the game tied, 6-6, the Spartans reeled off seven consecutive points to take control. A mini-run by the Eagles cut the deficit to 13-9, but a couple of errant shots gave the game to South Torrance.

“After the second game we were relaxing a little bit,” conceded Gerlach, a senior who had a game-high 22 kills to go with nine digs and four blocks.

Game 4 was all Santa Margarita. Gerlach made three kills as the Eagles raced to a 9-0 lead. The Spartans closed to within 11-6 before senior outside hitter Michelle Davis recorded an ace and Gerlach added two more to set the stage for match point.

Davis finished with 13 kills and five aces for the Eagles.