Division III

Santa Margarita def. Moorpark, 15-11, 15-8, 12-15, 15-5--Out-sized and overmatched, the Musketeers had their surprising playoff run come to an end in a semifinal at Newport Harbor High in Newport Beach.

Santa Margarita (18-0) got 31 kills and eight blocks from Blake Robinson and 14 kills and 11 blocks from Damien Scott. Setter Jack Pichard, playing with a broken finger, had 67 assists.

The Musketeers (15-6) squeaked into the playoffs by finishing third in the Marmonte League but gained momentum behind strong play by 6-foot-5 senior hitter Cary Hanson. They defeated third-seeded Santa Barbara San Marcos to reach the semifinals.

Hanson had 21 kills but had problems penetrating a Santa Margarita front line that starts four players at least 6-4.

Chris Sayers had 11 kills for Moorpark.

The Musketeers seized control of game three when they used a 6-0 run to take a 9-3 lead and fended off a late Santa Margarita rally.

They had no answers when Santa Margarita jumped ahead, 8-2, in the final game.