Sacred Heart Cathedral girls volleyball has all the right ingredients

SAN FRANCISCO — It's no fun playing the girls volleyball team at Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco, Calif.). Frankly, it's just a lot of work, opponents say.

The Irish trademark under 11-year head coach Margi Beima, is defense, digs and passing. Rallies are long and hard fought.

And eventually, the Irish (27-7) wear teams down. It's a formula that has led to four Northern California Division III titles, including three straight from 2007-09, and at least 28 wins in six of the last seven seasons.

But the Irish are looking to win their final match of the season, signifying a first state championship.

The current group, with their largest roster (17), a superb setter (Amanda Santa Maria, libero (Gabriela Ruvalcaba) and two potent hitters (Madison Murtagh and Madison Wong), has a decent chance of finishing things off.

But it won't be easy. Not with West Catholic Athletic League round-robin champion Valley Christian in its Division III path.

"We're right on the edge," Beima said. "Our defense is amazing. We're deep. It's a really fun, cohesive group. They battle. They do all that we ask. We're asking at this point, ‘What more can you give?' We need just a little more offense. We're right there."

The Irish have a win over nine-time state and defending Division II champion Mitty in a best-of-three Milpitas Spikefest victory in Sept. But Mitty traveled to San Francisco and edged the Irish 16-25, 25-22, 26-24, 25-23 in WCAL play Oct. 24.

Valley Christian beat visiting SHC by a similar score 26-28, 25-19, 27-25, 25-23 on Oct. 8.

"Two points here, two points there," Beima said. "We can do it."

The Irish get more primetime preparation with the WCAL playoffs this week. After a first-round sweep over St. Ignatius on Tuesday, the No. 3 Irish travel to second-seed Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) for a 7 p.m. match Wednesday, the same time fourth-seed St. Francis (Mountain View) plays at No. 1 Valley Christian (San Jose).

Either way, likely see Valley Christian in the Central Coast Section and Northern California Division III playoffs, perhaps in the finals of each. 

Valley Christian features what some experts believe is the best setting tandem in the country, Kirsten Mead (351 assists, 182 kills) and Maddie Dilfer (340, 152), daughter of former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer. Mead will play next fall at Santa Clara and Dilfer at Notre Dame.

They have three players at least 6-3 to set to. Mitty features arguably the league's top player, 6-3 Clare Powers, who is committed to St. Mary's.

Offensively, SHC counters with the 6-1 duo of Murtagh, a junior who has already committed to USF, and middle hitter Kaitlyn Jochum. Wong is only 5-8, but possesses a "whip of an arm swing," Beima said. "She can wail on the ball."

And the Irish can always get the ball up.

"This team battles," Beima said. "They really, really do. It's very impressive. It's a very gritty and determined bunch. I wouldn't put anything past them."