Late-season tournaments have a way of creating momentum heading into the postseason play.
The Southern California Invitational girls volleyball tournament brought that energy to Alliant University.
The 45-team event, hosted by Westview High School came down to Cathedral Catholic, ranked No. 1 in San Diego, against No. 2 Torrey Pines.
And like last year’s CIF San Diego Section Open Division championship, the final match of Saturday’s Platinum Division matched the Dons and Falcons.
Cathedral Catholic remained victorious against Torrey Pines, defeating the Falcons 25-21, 25-20.
“We wanted to play some good competition before CIF,” said Dons coach Juliana Conn. “The win was great because of the fight we have. We have now beaten Torrey Pines twice.
“It was good competition throughout both days and my girls needed to see that late in October.”
In the second set, the teams were tied at 10 before the Dons went on a 4-0 run and were able to grow the lead to six, 20-14, on a kill by junior Allison Dzieciuch.
Cathedral Catholic was able to maintain the six-point lead when it entered match point, ultimately needing three chances to secure the set and win.
Despite having an 18-11 lead in the first set, following a kill by Dons junior Sophia Johnson, Torrey Pines scored eight of the next nine points to cut the deficit to one.
However, Cathedral was able to finish off the Falcons with a kill by sophomore Jojo Wilson.
Cathedral Catholic senior outside hitter Mae Kordas earned MVP honors. Kordas had three blocks, six kills and a service ace to get the championship match. Senior Maya Evens, junior Madyson McCarthy and sophomore Kale’a Lee were named to the all-tournament team.
“She has been amazing,” Conn said of Kordas, who will attend Yale next year. “It’s fun to see her come into her senior year and really take that senior leadership role as a go-to player.
“She hits out of the middle, which is a weird situation for her because balls are being sprayed everywhere, but she puts herself in position and stays very aggressive.”
Torrey Pines was led by sophomore Jaycee Mack and junior Danica Nordlicht. Mack recorded eight kills and a block while Nordlict had six kills against Cathedral Catholic. Sophomore setter Emery Gonzalez was her team’s MVP and the trio of Mack, sophomore Lila Green and junior Finley Krystkowiak were named to the all-tournament team.
Westview, ranked No. 3 in the county, lost a tight three-set semifinal match to Torrey Pines.
Senior Nia Thompson was named to the all-tournament team.
Thousand Oaks Oaks Christian, which lost to Cathedral Catholic in the semifinals, had three all-tournament players in Jady Mape, Maggie Rhew and Hannah Brady.
Del Norte seniors Hailey Spencer and Kenzie Clearly were named to the all-tournament team, despite losing in straight sets in the Gold Division championship match to Lake Stevens from Washington.
Also making the all-tournament team were Helix’s Kyra Miles and Lucy Javier as the Highlanders won the Silver Bracket.
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