ORANGE — Berean Christian (Walnut Creek) outlasted
Victory Christian Academy (Chula Vista) 25-18, 14-25, 15-25, 25–21, 17-15 on Friday to win the CIF Division V volleyball title.
It was an all-too-familiar spot for the Eagles, who won their first state title in their first appearance. Berean Christian closed its 26-9 season with its fourth straight fifth-set win in a row to grab the title.
"We didn't do anything different. I told them (after the third set) that they belong in every gym," he said. "When we were down (in the fourth set) I told them ‘Don't freak out' and we didn't freak out."
The Eagles grabbed the first set on the strength of four kills from
Annasophia Vranjes and
Sophie Hall and three from
Winter Jones while
Aunyka Uresti dished up eight assists.
Alexis Sunia fueled a rally that gave the Eagles separation, that with a kill then reeled off five straight service points on her rotation to the back row.
The second and third sets saw Valor Christian wrestle control as
Saren Rogers and
Kealoha Phillips got hot. Rogers had 12 of her 27 kills in those two sets.
"It was not an effort issue," VCA coach Aaron Simmons said. "In a five-set match, it's (almost like) a flip of a coin."
Berean Christian outscored the Knights 10-5 after trailing 14-16 to win the fourth set and send the first final of the two-day event to a deciding set.
"I feel like we've lived 17-15," Abbott said in reference to the team's last few matches that have gone to fifth sets.
In the fifth, the Knights had match point at 14-12, but a Hall kill and ace by freshman
Marley Seelye knotted the score at 14. A few points later, Hall's kill gave Berean Christian match point and when a Knights' kill attempt went long, the Eagles rushed to the floor to celebrate.
"They never quit, they fight, fight, fight," Abbott said.
Hall led the Eagles with 18 kills while Vranjes added 10. Rogers had a match-high 27 kills while Phillips added 18.
