Three Catholic high schools were winners of California Interscholastic Federation girls’ volleyball championships in 2012, earning their way to the state championship action.Marymount High School of Westwood, champions of the Sunshine League, earned the Division 1AA crown with a thrilling five-set win over Redondo Union on Nov. 17 at Santiago Canyon College.On Dec. 1, the Sailors will play Clovis West for the state Division 1 championship, having earned the CIF-SS Southern Regional Championship after defeating Redondo Union 25-16, 25-18, 25-14 on Nov. 27. The State Finals will begin at 8 p.m. at Concordia University Irvine.La Salle of Pasadena defeated El Dorado in straight sets for its first Division 1AA crown on Nov. 17 at Santiago Canyon. The Lancers, winners of the Del Rey League, reached the final with a hard-fought five-set win over a tough Bishop Montgomery team.On Nov. 20, La Salle was defeated in the first round of its Division 1 state playoff match, with Clovis West narrowly prevailing 19-25, 25-23, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11. Sophomore Haley DeSales paced La Salle with 15 kills and 15 digs, while libero Caroline Knop tallied 40 digs, setter Alyssa Tavera totaled 45 assists, Jessica Kennedy added 19 kills and three blocks, Cheri Raymundo contributed 10 digs and Riley Spriesterbach finished with 12 kills and two blocks.For the first time in its history, Alverno High School’s volleyball team claimed the title “CIF-SS Champions,” defeating Pomona Catholic 25-15, 27-25, 25-22 in the Division 5AA final Nov. 17 at Cypress College.Alverno was then defeated by Calvin Christian of Escondido on Nov. 20 in the first round of the Division 5 state playoffs, 25-23, 26-24, 25-14. The Pasadena-based Jaguars, champions of the Horizon League, ended their season with an overall record of 20-4. Pomona Catholic won the Arrowhead League title.Alverno’s team includes seniors Raylene Acevedo, Jessica Hamilton, Sydney Hernandez-Barber, Alexandra Overstreet and Lauren Tunzi; juniors Hayley Barretta, Rachel Cavender, Asia Chapa and Taylor Valenzuela; sophomores Izaura Avitia, Madison Hernandez-Barber, Raine Orozco, Alexia Palomina and Alexandria Peterson; and freshman Natalie Hernandez-Barber. “We are so proud of everything these women have accomplished both on and off the court,” said Ann Gillick, Alverno’s Head of School. “Not only are each of them talented athletes but scholars, leaders, actors, and so much more. They are true examples of Alverno’s mission of empowering each young woman to be exactly the person she wants to be.” In only their fourth year of CIF membership, St. Monica Academy’s girls’ varsity volleyball team of Pasadena was runner-up to Orangewood Academy in the Nov. 17 Division 5A final at Cypress College, losing in five sets.But St. Monica defeated the Minarets Mustangs of O’Neals, 25-15, 26-24, 26-28, 25-22, to advance to the quarterfinals of the Division 5 tournament, where they will play Calvin Christian. St. Monica has been International League champion four years in a row, during which time they have posted a 45-1 record in league play. The Crusaders are led by seniors Caitlin Hall (three-time CIF Southern Section All-Star, four-time League MVP), Kristen Gates (2011 CIF Southern Section All-Star, three-time First Team League), and Monica Golbranson (three-time First Team League).{gallery width=100 height=100}gallery/2012/1130/volleyball/{/gallery}
