Eagles Discover the Third Time Is Real Charmer

Blake Robinson and his Santa Margarita teammates simply wouldn’t be denied.

Robinson had 23 of his match-high 35 kills in the first two games, helping the Eagles to a fast start that they turned into a four-game victory over Mater Dei in the Southern Section Division III boys’ volleyball championship match Saturday at Cypress College.

Robinson spiked from the back row for a kill on match point of the Eagles’ 15-8, 15-8, 8-15, 15-6 victory. It was the third time Santa Margarita defeated Mater Dei this season.

“When I found out we were playing Mater Dei in the final,” Santa Margarita Coach John Hawks said, “I heard some people say how tough it is to beat a team three times in a season. I told our guys that was a bunch of [baloney].”

Robinson and his teammates listened to their coach and weren’t about to let Mater Dei get the upper hand early.

Robinson, who will play at Princeton next season, had 12 kills in 15 attempts in the first game and hit .500 in the first two games, which the Eagles won comfortably. Robinson also led the team with 13 digs.

But it was far from a one-man show for the Eagles, who won their third section title in five years.

Senior Damien Scott, playing with his right hand heavily taped, had eight of his 17 kills in the decisive fourth game and he finished with a team-high seven blocks.

Junior setter Jack Pichard, playing with a dislocated finger, had 58 assists and four blocks.

“I thought we had some momentum after we won the third game,” said Mater Dei setter Mike Gazzano, who had 43 assists and four blocks. “But they really wanted it and it showed. They had two or three guys hurting, but they pulled it out. That shows a lot of character.”

The Monarchs (12-5), who lost in the Division II final last season, tried to rally behind Jonathan Daze, who had 21 kills, and Joe Groff, who had 11 kills and 10 blocks. But the Monarchs’ concentration seemed to wane as Santa Margarita (19-3) took a 9-1 lead before it closed out the fourth game.

Santa Margarita got a scare in the first game with the Eagles leading, 10-8, when Pichard rolled his ankle.

“I got scared because I’ve done that before and I was out for two weeks,” Pichard said. “But this is the finals and you have to suck it up. It would have taken a broken leg for me to come out of there.”

Mater Dei tried to bounce back and took an 8-5 lead in the second game, but then the Eagles refocused and notched 11 consecutive side outs to spark the victory.

“We were down, but we went on a 10-0 run,” Hawks said. “That’s how tough these kids are.”