Southern Section
Saturday, Dec. 6
STATE FINALS
CHAMPIONSHIPS
DIVISION I
Los Alamitos d. Grass Valley Nevada Union, 25-20, 19-25, 25-16, 25-21
For two weeks, players on the Los Alamitos girls’ volleyball team talked as if it were their destiny.
Few outside the Griffin program, however, gave them much of a chance at winning the state Division I title, especially since they were beaten in the Southern Section Division I-A final.
But the players didn’t listen to the naysayers, and Los Alamitos rallied several times Saturday night at Cypress College to defeat Grass Valley Nevada Union, 25-20, 19-25, 25-16, 25-21, and won their first state championship.
The Griffins (28-9) won four consecutive matches on their way to the state title after being swept by Sunset League rival Anaheim Esperanza in the Southern Section final on Nov. 22.
Nevada Union (35-4) was making its first appearance in a state championship match. The Miners trailed, two games to one, but led, 10-4, in Game 4.
Los Alamitos caught Nevada Union at 12-12 on a kill by freshman Geena Urango, who finished with 14 kills.
The Griffins took the lead for good at 21-20 when defensive specialist Nikki Kline dumped a ball over a double block for a point.
Outside hitter Kara Uhl led Los Alamitos with 15 kills.
“We’ve faced trials and tribulations every day,” Los Alamitos Coach Sue Monsoor said, “and it made us stronger and stronger.”
--Paul McLeod
DIVISION II
San Jose Archbishop Mitty d. Santa Ana Mater Dei, 26-24, 25-16, 25-19
Archbishop Mitty won its fifth state title in six finals appearances by overpowering the Monarchs in the Division II match Saturday at Cypress College.
Mater Dei jumped out to a 12-6 lead in the first game, but couldn’t hold it. Mitty, which hit .537 for the match, owned the second game. With the score was tied, 14-14, in the third game, outside hitter K.C. Walsh of Mitty ripped a couple of kills from the right-side to get Mitty (37-3) back on track.
“Our heads got down after not winning the first game,” Mater Dei Coach Craig Pazanti said. “This was definitely not one of our best efforts of the season.”
Bethany Johansen (12 kills) and Erin Downey (11 kills) led Mitty. Mallorie Croal had 15 kills for Mater Dei.
--Paul McLeod
DIVISION III
Mt. View St. Francis d. Santa Margarita, 25-19, 25-18, 25-21
DIVISION IV
Marymount d. Golden Valley Garden Sierra, 25-21, 25-23, 22-25, 25-17
DIVISION V
Solana Beach Santa Fe Christian d. San Francisco University, 25-21, 25-16, 25-17
Tuesday, Dec. 2
STATE FINALS
SOUTHERN REGIONALS
DIVISION I
Los Alamitos d. Poway, 25-15, 25-23, 23-25, 26-24
Freshman Jeena Urango had 18 kills, Kara Uhl added 12 kills and five aces and Ashley Tarutis put up 47 assists and five aces to lead host Los Alamitos (26-9).
DIVISION II
Mater Dei d. Mira Costa 25-22, 30-32, 29-27, 25-15
Mallorie Croal recorded 29 kills, and 16 digs to lead Mater Dei into its first state championship match Saturday at Cypress College. Mater Dei improves to 35-3. Mira Costa got 20 kills from Sydney Donahue, who finishes 33-4.
--Paul Mcleod
DIVISION III
Santa Margarita d. San Diego University, 18-25, 25-23, 25-23, 26-24
DIVISION IV
Marymount d. La Jolla Country Day, 25-9, 25-18, 25-22
Stesha Selsky recorded ten kills and two aces, including an ace on match point for the host Sailors (36-1) who won their fourth consecutive CIF Div. IV Southern Regional Championship.
Jamie Kaufman had nine kills and two aces and Sandy Barbut added two kills, three blocks and four aces, including an jump serve ace to end game two for top-seeded Marymount, which will play for it’s fourth consecutive state championship on Saturday, at Cypress College.
Candice Wiggins had 11 kills, 11 digs, three blocks, and an ace for La Jolla Country Day (24-11), the San Diego section champions.
--Steve Galluzo
DIVISION V
Solana Beach Santa Fe Christian d. Visalia Central Valley Christian, 13-25, 25-17, 25-20, 22-25, 15-13
NORTHERN REGIONALS
DIVISION I
Grass Valley Nevada Union d. Stockton Lincoln, 25-13, 25-13, 22-25, 25-17
DIVISION II
San Jose Archbishop Mitty d. Los Gatos, 26-24, 25-9, 25-9
DIVISION III
Mountain View St. Francis d. Larkspur Redwood, 25-20, 25-8, 25-13
DIVISION IV
Garden Valley Golden Sierra d. Linden, 25-20, 25-17, 20-25, 25-19
DIVISION V
San Francisco University d. Mill Valley Marin Academy, 25-9, 25-20, 23-25, 25-19
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