Mira Costa Wins Division I-A Championship

Manhattan Beach Mira Costa won its first Southern Section girls’ volleyball title since 1995 with a 9-15, 15-9, 15-6, 16-14 victory over Santa Ana Mater Dei in the Division I-A final Saturday at Cypress College.

Senior Brooke Donahue had 17 kills and 19 digs and senior Kristen Nelson had 16 kills and 24 digs for the top-seeded Mustangs (26-1), who won with their trademark defense and ball-handling skills.

Mira Costa’s only loss this season was in five games to Chula Vista Bonita Vista, the top-ranked team in the San Diego Section, at the Del Mar Torrey Pines tournament. Saturday’s victory in the final came after Mira Costa lost in the Division I-AA title matches of 1996, ’97 and ’99.

“What makes this so special,” said Mira Costa Coach DaeLea Aldrich, “is that this group of seniors made it to the semifinals as sophomores, lost in the finals as juniors, and now they get to hang their own banner.”

Setter Lexy Beers, who will play at Texas A&M;, had 45 assists, 11 digs and two blocks and senior Jamie Grass had 23 digs, seven kills and three blocks to help Mira Costa to its 10th section title in its 16th final.

Mater Dei (20-3) was in the I-A final for the third time in four years.

In other finals:

Long Beach Poly d. San Clemente, 11-15, 5-15, 15-10, 15-7, 15-10--Setter Drew Robertson, who will play at Northwestern next season, had 45 assists, 13 kills, 21 digs and four blocks and junior Jennifer Randall had 23 kills and 17 digs to lead the Jackrabbits (23-1) to the I-AA championship and their first section title.

Junior Katy Daly had 20 kills and Christina Vick, who will play at Santa Clara next season, had 14 kills for San Clemente (18-1).

Santa Barbara d. South Torrance, 10-15, 11-15, 15-13, 17-15, 15-8--Jessica Harlin had 22 kills and 17 digs to lead Santa Barbara to the II-AA title.

Vanessa Kelterborn led South Torrance with 18 kills.

La Habra d. Lakewood St. Joseph, 7-15, 6-15, 15-10, 15-4, 17-15--USC-bound senior Keao Burdine had 33 kills and 23 digs to help La Habra (21-1) rally to win the II-A title.