Sierra Canyon’s 6-foot-3 middle blocker, Kendall Omoruyi, who is a Nebraska commit, dove and deflected the ball in the third-set decider against Mira Costa in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 girls volleyball playoffs Saturday.
Omoruyi was followed by outside hitter McKenna McIntyre (USC commit ) and then Texas Tech commit Hanna McGinest. One dig after another, with the pursuit of the ball being constant, including by McGinest, McIntyre and Omoruyi.
Relentless tracking of the ball by McGinest, McIntyre, Omoruyi and Tennessee commit Eva Jeffries was a theme for Sierra Canyon, whose collective skills in the back row became pivotal during its sweep of Mira Costa, 25-21, 25-18, 25-13, Saturday afternoon.
Sierra Canyon (32-1) will play Mater Dei for the Division 1 title on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Cerritos College. Mater Dei secured its spot in the final with a sweep of Oaks Christian, 25-22, 25-16, 25-19, Saturday.
“It’s really easy to look at our team and say they’re big, they’re tall, they’re strong, and they aren’t going to get on the ground and play defense,” Sierra Canyon coach Stefanie Wigfall said. “Immediately, people think if we can get the ball over their block, this team isn’t going to chase down blocks, they aren’t going to get on the ground. That’s simply not the case. That’s completely the opposite of our mindset and how we trained all year.”
Sierra Canyon will be playing in its fourth CIF-SS title game in five years, including its third straight against Mater Dei. The Trailblazers defeated Mater Dei in the Division 1 final last year.
The versatility of Wigfall’s team gives it a different feel when attacking and receiving.
“We know that because we are big that we are going to be taken to the ground,” she said, “and we aren’t afraid to be gritty to go after every ball and get it up.”
McGinest finished with 13 kills, Omoruyi delivered 11 kills, McIntyre had seven kills and Jeffries added five kills.
But it was the collective effort of digging and passing that proved how dominant Sierra Canyon can be.
“For me, it’s about making sure this team understands that it doesn’t matter how good we are or how good we think we are,” Wigfall said. “The teams that are going to win are the teams that believe they can continue to get better and are willing to work hard enough to where they are getting better every single day. This is the time of season where you pay really close attention to the scouting report against you, your team, and really expose those weaknesses. Every team has them, and we are in the gym every single day understanding we can still get better.”
Sierra Canyon never trailed Saturday while battling Mira Costa sophomore outside hitter Lilly Vandeweghe, the niece of two-time NBA All-Star Kiki Vandeweghe.
Vandeweghe finished with six kills while senior captain Allyn Hilt led Mira Costa (22-7) with seven kills.
Sierra Canyon never stopped attacking and breaking the back row, with Missouri commit Lucky Fasavalu organizing the attack.
“Tonight our hitters showed they’re all-around players and that we can do whatever we want to make this team successful,” Fasavalu said. “I was really proud of them. There’s always a stereotype that if you’re big, you’re slow. That’s not the case with us, and I was just so happy for them.”
Jeffries described the impact of Wigfall and the goals set for her hitters, including their ability to shot receive from the backrow.
“(Wigfall) advocates that a lot in our practices,” Jeffries said. “She really wants us to focus on our defense and getting on the floor. Everyone’s intention is getting us pinned, so we want to be ready for that.”
Newbury Park punches ticket to final
Newbury Park coach Chris Forrest prides himself on being an expert in breaking down film. Forrest had all the film he needed from the Sept. 12 matchup his team played against Valley Christian of Cerritos in La Jolla.
“We knew who we needed to stop, we knew who we needed to serve and credit to the girls,” Forrest said. “They went with the plan.”
Newbury Park swept Valley Christian of Cerritos, 25-23, 25-18, 25-22, in the CIF-SS Division 3 semifinals Saturday.
The Panthers will face Corona del Mar in the Division 3 final Saturday, Nov. 7, at Cerritos College.
Senior Charley Knupp (Saint Mary’s beach volleyball commit) led Newbury Park (34-9) with 15 kills, two aces and three solo blocks. Junior Laney Knopp added eight kills and three aces. Senior setter Keira Overbeck, playing in a 5-1 formation, finished with seven kills and one ace, and sophomore Emmery Reynolds added six kills and two aces.
Newbury Park will be making its second appearance in a CIF-SS final in three years.
Knupp’s ability to handle pressure and the contrasting style of play by Knopp give Forrest more confidence heading into the final.
“Charley’s been in high-stakes games like this,” Forrest said. “Laney is one with the speed and is fearless. Charley is the one who is calm, cool and collected. Laney is the one who is going to attack and try to hit through you.”