ORANGE – The Northern Region took three of five division matches during the 2014 CIF State Volleyball Championships presented by Farmers at Santiago Canyon College. Archbishop Mitty (Division II) claimed a record eleventh State title and Francis Parker (Division V) recorded their ninth crown. Redondo Union (Division I), Sacred Heart Cathedral (Division III) and Sonora (DIV) each secured their first State Championships.
Division I: Redondo Union def. Pitman (Turlock) 25-23, 25-18, 25-21
Redondo Union (38-2) captured their first State crown as they swept the Pitman Pride (44-2), who were also appearing in their first State title game. The Sea Hawks duo of Yassmee Bedart-Ghani (16 kills) and Kristen Hamlin (15 kills) combined for 31 of the squads 47 kills, while Norene Iosia tallied 40 assists in the victory. The Pride were led by Lindsey Vander Weide’s 14 kills.
Division II: Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) def. South Torrance 25-12, 25-18, 20-25, 25-19
The Archbishop Mitty Monarchs (37-3) claimed a State record eleventh Championship as they defeated the South Torrance Spartans (31-10), who were appearing in their first title game. Merin Kolte (16 kills), Natasha Kosowicz (14 kills), Julia Chizankos (13 kills) and Alexa Dreyer (10 kills) combined for 53 of the Monarchs 60 kills on the evening. As a team Mitty hit .316 and recorded six aces in the win. Karly Eastley and Gina Cortest tallied 12 and 11 kills respectively, while Kori Kutsch totaled 26 assists in the loss.
Division III: Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) def. Saddleback Valley Christian (San Juan Capistrano) 25-15, 25-19, 25-23
In their first State appearance since 2009 Sacred Heart Cathedral (37-3) claimed their first State Championship as they swept Saddleback Valley Christian (33-6). Kayla Yew led the Fightin’ Irish with 18 kills, while Mary Tran served five aces. Heidi Dyer led the Warrior with 8 kills in the loss.
Division IV: Sonora def. Alta Loma 25-19, 25-19, 17-25, 22-25, 15-8
Sonora (37-5) claimed their first ever State Championship as they defeated Alta Loma (36-3) in a five-set thriller in the Division IV match. It was a team effort for the Wildcats who were led by Shannon Friend (16 kills), Savannah Lawrence (14 kills), Angela Gardella (10 kills), Kiana Pisula (26 assists) and Isabella Bergamaschi (21 assists). Aeryn Owens totaled 20 kills for the Braves, while Taylor Kettle had 31 assists and four service aces in the loss.
Division V: Francis Parker (San Diego) def. Branson (Ross) 25-22, 25-22, 15-25, 25-17
The Francis Parker Lancers (29-8) won their third consecutive State Championship (ninth overall) as they defeated the Branson Bulls (38-4), who were appearing in their sixth straight title game. The trio of Grace Forren and Sien Gallop led the Lancers with 18 kills each, followed by Madeleine Casey adding 11 in the win. Jenn Wineholt and Claire Nussbaum contributed 28 and 21 assists respectively. Grace Roberts-Burbank (20) and Carrie Wentzel (14) combined for 24 kills in the Bulls loss.