Look: Mater Dei girls volleyball sweeps Mira Costa in CIF-Southern Section DI finals
The much-anticipated matchup between the nation's No. 2 girls volleyball team Mater Dei and No. 3 Mira Costa lived up to all billing.
Well, for at least a game.
The Monarchs (39-2) pulled out a wild first game, 28-26, before rolling over the Mustangs the next two sets to win the CIF Southern Section Division I championship Saturday at Cerritos College, 28-26, 25-15, 25-20.
(See video taken by Michelle Bamford at the top of the page)
Isabel Clark led the Monarchs (39-2) with 18 kills and 12 digs as Mater Dei defeated the Mustangs for the second time in three meetings this season. Mira Costa was hoping to repeat the performance from a three-game home sweep over the Monarchs on Aug. 29; Mater Dei came back at Durango to win two of out of three games on Sept. 23.
When Malyssa Cawa fired up an ace for match point — her third of the match — the Monarchs celebrated wildly before a packed house. It was the sixth section crown for Mater Dei, but first since 2018. Mira Costa (39-3) fell short of collecting a 16th section crown. Layli Ostovar and Cymarah Gordon combined for 13 kills and freshman Emma Kingston had a match-high seven blocks that proved decisive.
The Monarchs begin to celebrate
Photo: Heston Quan
Don't be surprised if the two teams meet one more time the Southern California regionals, which finish up in two weeks.
The Mustangs dropped to 39-3, with two of the defeats coming to the Monarchs. It was a measure of revenge, albeit from yesteryear for Mater Dei, which lost to Mira Costa in the 2000 section finals.
Mira Costa had strong hitting matches from sophomore Audrey Flanagan (nine kills) and seven each by Rachel Moglia and Simone Roslon.
Coach Dan O'Dell said the team's blocking and force at the net, led by Clark and 6-foot-4 Kingston (seven blocks) caused a lot of problems for the Mustangs who were forced to hit to different angles. Clark, Gordon and Addison Coady added four blocks a piece.
It translated to a lot of Mustang hitting errors.
Mater Dei's big block was tough to overcome.
Photo: Heston Quan
"It might have been our best blocking game of the year," O'Dell said.
The fact the Monarchs has thus far pulled off a postseason sweep really didn't surprise O'Dell. His team hasn't lost a game which is impressive considering they played powerhouses Palos Verdes, Sierra Canyon and Marymount during pool play.
They got more strong play from senior setter Julia Kakkis (26 assists) and a combined 23 digs from Clark and Ostovar.
"I think it just shows this team has always had a ton of talent," he said. "I've had this year circled for two years now. When they were sophomores I knew this was a very special group.
"But 'could be special' and performing at that level are two totally different things. When they had to be great, they were fantastic. When the playoffs hit, they came in with a new focus. This is what they wanted to accomplish They were steady and consistent the entire way."
An ace by Malyssa Cawa set off a Monarch celebration that will be hard to match.
Photo: Heston Quan
Mater Dei wins another CIF Southern Section championship
Photo: Michelle Bamford
More champions:
D2: JSerra Catholic (30-10) defeat Orange Lutheran 25-22, 25-23, 25-17 for the title as Tatum Johnson and Emma Champagne combined for 18 kills. The Trinity League rivals had split two previous matches. Westley Matavao had 17 kills for Orange Lutheran (28-14).
D3: Top-seed Beckman (34-5) defeated Campbell Hall 25-22, 25-15, 15-25, 25-19 behind 20 kills and six blocks from Camryn Hayek and 15 kills by Nika Safavi. Liberto Stacy Reeves contributed 32 digs. Campbell Hall (31-5) had its 21-match win streak snapped.
D4: Mikenna Henjump had 14 kills and 24 digs leading Capistrano Valley Christian (33-4) to a 26-24, 25-23, 25-21 win over El Dorado (28-7). Shauna McDowell had 16 assists and Camille Solovjev added 19 digs for the winners.
D5: Stanford-bound Taylor Yu had 40 kills and 15 digs lifting Temple City (18-4) to a 25-20, 25-21, 30-28 win over Rancho Christian (26-8).
