In a highly-competitive match between two of California’s top teams, the Mater Dei Monarchs defeated the Marymount Sailors Nov. 11 to win the Division CIF-Southern Section girls’ volleyball championship.

For the Dan O’Dell-coached Monarchs (34-5), it was their fifth CIF title in girls’ volleyball, their first since 2015, and their fifth consecutive CIF finals appearance. The 26-24, 26-24, 25-21 win at Cerritos College (site of all finals) also was a measure of revenge for Mater Dei’s four-set defeat earlier this season at the hands of the Sailors (30-8), who were seeking their tenth CIF title under coach Cari Klein.

Both schools will participate in the state Open Division tournament that begins Nov. 15, with third-seeded Marymount (winner of six state titles, the last in 2012) opposing Central of Fresno (40-2), while second-seeded Mater Dei (twice a state finals runner-up) takes on Cathedral Catholic of San Diego (24-7).

Earlier on Nov. 11, St. Paul overcame Sonora, the Freeway League champion, to win the Division 5 title, 25-10, 20-25, 25-21, 25-17. Playing in their first CIF girls’ volleyball final, the John Van Deventer-coached Swordsmen ended the season 26-10 and, as the No. 2 seed, will meet Ontario Christian (21-5) in the first round of the Division III SoCal Regionals, precursor to the state finals, on Nov. 15.

Also competing in the Division III Regionals is La Reina, the No. 4 seed, which will play San Pedro Nov. 15. The Regents (32-7) lost in the CIF Division 5 semis to Sonora after finishing the regular season with the top ranking in D-5.

La Salle (27-6), the top seed in Division 3, was beaten by Sierra Canyon in the final, 25-21, 25-16, 18-25, 25-17. The Lancers --- who were seeking their first CIF crown since winning back-to-back 1A championships in 2012-13 --- nonetheless were selected as No. 2 seed in Division II of the SoCal Regionals, and will play Bakersfield Christian (30-9) in the first round Nov. 15.

Santa Margarita (29-9) was named No. 1 seed in Division I of the SoCal Regionals, and will play Palisades (26-4) in the first round. Regional finals (Northern and Southern California) will be held Nov. 25, and state championships on Dec. 2.

 

Boys’ Water Polo

Mater Dei concluded its dominant 2017 campaign, swimming to an 8-3 halftime lead and finishing with a 13-9 victory over Oaks Christian to win the Division 1 CIF boys’ water polo title in a match played Nov. 11 at the William Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine.

For the Monarchs, it was their seventh CIF championship in their tenth finals appearance, all under coach Chris Segesman. They previously won in 2015, and five straight (2008-12).

 

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