Sierra Canyon volleyball swept by Mater Dei in CIF-SS Division 1 championship game

NORWALK — The Sierra Canyon girls volleyball team has renewed motivation as it heads into the CIF State playoffs.

The young Trailblazers team came together to reach the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship game but was swept by Mater Dei, the No. 2 team in the state according to MaxPreps, by scores of 25-20, 25-16, 25-20 to win its second straight Division 1 title.

“We beat ourselves in so many ways tonight,” Sierra Canyon coach Stefanie Wigfall said. “This one is going to sting and I think it’s better to just move past it and get back on the court.”

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Sierra Canyon (32-5) received an automatic bid to the CIF State playoffs and will learn its first-round opponent when brackets are released Sunday afternoon.

The Monarchs (35-4) used their athleticism to get through blocks for kills deep into Trailblazers territory. Westley Matavao finished with a match-high 12 kills and added seven digs.

In addition to their physical skill, Mater Dei game-planned to keep the ball away from Sierra Canyon libero and University of San Diego commit Lauren Lynch. It was the second time the teams met this season, having played each other in a tournament in mid-September.

“When you give (coach) Dan (O’Dell) a week to prepare for a match, you already know what it’s going to be. And so if you combine that with having an off night,” Wigfall said, “which I feel like we did, we beat ourselves in so many ways tonight.”

Eva Jeffries recorded seven kills and tacked on seven digs to lead the Trailblazers and Lynch executed 12 digs. Hanna McGinest had five kills and Lucky Fasavalu had nine assists.

“It might not have been the outcome we wanted,” Fasavalu said, “but so many teams wish they were in our position and we worked so hard and we fought hard. I’m proud of the way we carried ourselves.”

McGinest fired off three kills to help Sierra Canyon get out to a 3-2 lead in the first set, but Mater Dei was able to pull ahead with smart serving that included two aces from Kayla Ostovar. Kalyani Olive and Brandi Boston teamed up for two big blocks in the middle of the second set, but the Monarchs adapted and powered through the Trailblazers defense.

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Sierra Canyon went on a five-point scoring run at the end of the third set after Wigfall called a timeout, but the Monarchs’ athleticism and resolve prevailed.

The Trailblazers swept Temecula Valley and Marymount then lost to Mira Costa in five sets during Division 1 pool play to advance to the championship game on a tiebreaker.

Now, the Trailblazers have the state tournament to look forward to.

“I do this because I love to teach resiliency,” Wigfall said. “You don’t get those opportunities to be resilient without sometimes getting your butt kicked like this. It’s how we respond, how we show up on Monday and teach those life lessons. One night does not define you.”

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