Cisneros, Sylmar Get Points Across to Chatsworth

The public-address announcer botched her last name during prematch introductions, but 51 minutes later, after it had been said for the final time, Stephanie Cisneros’ surname was well known.

The Sylmar High senior delivered 15 kills and led the Spartans to a surprisingly easy 15-1, 15-6, 15-1 victory over Chatsworth in a nonleague girls’ volleyball match Tuesday at Chatsworth.

Cisneros fought off a nagging cough and a bothersome thigh injury to pepper the Chancellors time and again with kills.

It all fit in well with Sylmar’s plans this season.

The Spartans (3-0) lost to Palisades in the City Championship last season, but yearn for a different result this season.

“They’re missing something and they all know it,” Sylmar Coach Bob Thomson said. “I think some of them were just happy to get there last year, but this year, they’re a little more motivated.”

Just ask Cisneros.

“This year, our goal is to beat everybody in three games,” Cisneros said. “That’s it . . . one, two, three.”

The Spartans had no problem against Chatsworth.

Barbara Smiley had plenty of options, setting Cisneros, Sally Teague (10 kills) and Nancy Ariza (six kills) with similar success.

“She set a perfect match,” Thomson said. “She really kept Chatsworth off-balance so they couldn’t concentrate on one player.”

The Chancellors (2-1) certainly couldn’t concentrate on Cisneros, a 5-foot-9 left-hander who attacked from anywhere on the court, including several attempts from behind the 10-foot line.

Cisneros also drilled three aces with a stellar jump serve, leading Sylmar to a 12-2 advantage in aces.

The match was an about-face from Chatsworth’s 17-15 victory over Sylmar in a semifinal of the Chatsworth tournament Saturday.

Linda Wang (eight kills) was the only Chatsworth player with more than two kills Tuesday.

“They did everything they could right,” Chatsworth Coach Bud Dow said. “We did about everything we could wrong.”