Sierra Canyon’s 6-foot-3 middle blocker Kendall Omoruyi, who is a Nebraska commit, dove and deflected the ball in the deciding third-set match against Mira Costa in the CIF Southern Section girls volleyball playoffs on Saturday.
Omoruyi was followed by outside hitter McKenna McIntyre (USC commit ) and then Texas Tech’s Hanna McGinest. One dig after another, with constant ball chasing, including McGinest, McIntyre and Omoruyi.
Relentless pursuit of the ball by McGinest, McIntyre, Omoruyi and Tennessee commit Eva Jeffries was a theme for Sierra Canyon, whose collective backcourt prowess proved essential in sweeping Mira Costa, 25-21, 25-18, Saturday afternoon, 25-13.
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 finals with a sweep of Oaks Christian, 25-22, 25-16, 25-19, on Saturday.
“It’s really easy to look at our team and say they’re big, tall, strong and they’re not going to get on the floor and play defense,” Sierra Canyon coach Stefanie Wigfall said. “Right away, people think if we can get the ball over their block, this team isn’t going to chase blocks, they’re not going to go to the ground. That’s just not the case. That’s the complete opposite of our mindset and how we’ve coached 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.
Wigfall’s squad versatility gives it a different feel when attacking and receiving.
“We know that because we’re big, they’re going to take us to the ground,” she said, “and we’re not afraid to be tough to go after every ball and put it up.”
McGinest finished with 13 kills, Omoruyi contributed 11 kills, McIntyre had seven kills and Jeffries added five kills.
But it was the collective effort of digging and traversing that proved just 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 keep getting better and are willing to work hard enough to get to where they are getting better every day. This is the time of the season where you pay close attention to the scouting report against you, your team, and really expose those weaknesses. Every team has them, and we’re in the gym every day knowing we can still get better.”
Sierra Canyon never trailed Saturday as it battled second-ranked Mira Costa with outside hitter Lilly Vandeweghe, the granddaughter 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 line, with Missouri commit Lucky Fasavalu orchestrating the offense.
“Tonight our forwards showed that they are versatile 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 really happy for them.”
Jeffries described Wigfall’s influence and the goals set for her forwards, including their ability to take hits from behind.
“(Wigfall) advocates this a lot in our practices,” Jeffries said. “She really wants us to focus on our defense and get on the ball. Everyone’s goal is to pin us, so we want to be ready for that.”
Newbury Park punches the ticket to the final
Newbury Park coach Chris Forrest prides himself on being an expert at breaking down film. Forrest had all the film he needed from the Sept. 12 game his team played against Valley Christian of Cerritos in La Jolla.
“We knew who we had to stop, we knew who we had to serve and honor the girls,” Forrest said. “They went with the plan.”
Newbury Park defeated Valley Christian of Cerritos, 25-23, 25-18, 25-22, in the CIF-SS Division 3 semifinals on Saturday.
The Panthers will face Corona del Mar in the Division 3 final on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Cerritos College.
Senior Charley Knupp (St. 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 an ace, and sophomore Emmery Reynolds added six kills and two aces.
Newbury Park will make its second appearance in a CIF-SS final in three years.
Knupp’s ability to handle pressure and Knopp’s opposite style of play give Forrest more confidence heading into the final.
“Charley has been in high-stakes games like this,” Forrest said. “Laney is one with speed and is fearless. Charley is one who is calm, cool and collected. Laney is one who will attack and try to punch through you.”
