CITY SECTION VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP

Grant def. Monroe, 15-8, 15-17, 15-13, 15-5--Mike Charleston, a 6-foot-6 middle blocker who committed to Northridge last week, delivered 22 kills and helped host Grant advance to the City Championship for the first time in school history.

Charleston also had eight blocks and Stefan Kaufman had 10 blocks for the Lancers (16-0), who dominated No. 4-seeded Monroe in blocking, 19-6.

Grant stumbled only once, losing a 13-6 lead in the second game.

The Lancers defeated Taft in four games in a nonconference match this season behind Charleston’s 36 kills.

“I never thought I’d be in a City Championships in any sport,” said Charleston, who led the Lancers to the quarterfinals in basketball. “When we beat Taft the first time, I realized we had potential. We’re there now.”

Oscar Avelar had 18 kills and Gil Lingamen added 17 for Monroe (13-3).

The Vikings never found its groove in the playoffs, needing five games to dispose of lower-seeded opponents in the first two rounds before faltering against Grant.

“Our guys stood around too much,” Coach Bob Berrenson said. “They took us at the net. They stopped us.”

Kosuke Matsuda provided a strong option at outside hitter for Grant, finishing with 21 kills.