The Monarchs got 15 kills from
Layli Ostovar and
Westley Matavao added 11 as they beat the Thunder 25-13, 25-22, 25-18 to win their third Open Division crown, the most in nine-year history of the elite division. In addition to this year's title, Dan O'Dell won championships in 2018 and 2023 in which they were also crowned MaxPreps National Champions.
Mater Dei's Sam Capinpin and Westley Matavao celebrate winning the CIF Open Division state title on Saturday at Santiago Canyon College. It was the third overall Open title for the No. 3 Monarchs and the second in three seasons. (PHOTO: Diane Torrence)
Mater Dei sliced through the first set with surgical precision. The Monarchs opened a lead of 11-6 after a kill from Kingston and then a pair from middle partner Coady. After a third kill from Coady, the Monarchs went outside to four straight kills from Ostovar, including an angle shot that hit the floor and bounced 12 rows deep.
"I was really proud of the girls for how well they started the
match. I think they were ready to go," O'Dell said. "They set the tone with passing and
when we pass like that, the setters make it look easy for everybody
else."
Ostovar had six kills in the first set, equaling the total number by the Thunder.
Rocklin (37-5) didn't flinch, however, and held leads of 12-6, 14-9 and 17-13 in the second set as
Rylee Heinz and
Sidney Jones each had a pair of kills.
But Mater Dei didn't panic and instead began chipping away. A back-row kill by Ostovar cut the Rocklin lead to 17-15 and forced a Thunder timemout. Mater Dei got square on a Rocklin hitting error before taking its first lead since 2-1 on a kill from freshman
Jael Smith at 23-22 before Ostovar gave the Monarchs a 2-0 lead with a left-handed kill.
USC commit Layli Ostovar led Mater Dei with 15 kills, including the match-winning spike to give the Monarchs the Open Division crown. (PHOTO: Diane Torrence)
"We could talk about the match all we want but the focus these kids have
had, the ability to stay present, battle for each other has been
amazing," Rocklin coach Bret Almazan-Cezar said. "We're not going to roll over. Next point, you know, win the next point. That's the goal. That's the only goal."
Alzmazan-Cezar should know as he won 11 state titles, the most in California history, including the first two Open Division titles in 2016 and 2017.
The 2017 title was over Mater Dei, a fact O'Dell hadn't forgotten.
We talked about, like halfway through the year, that this could be the
revenge tour, the redemption tour," O'Dell said of his group beating four of the five teams that handed the Monarchs losses. "Four of the five losses (we avenged) and then for me, I lost to Bret in the 2017. I was 0-1 against
him. So like we've done all year, we got redemption. This was a little
bit more personal. I knew coming in that we're a little more talented,
but I think they have the best coach in the country."
The third set was tied at 11 before the Monarchs opened space on a pair of Matavao kills before USC commit Ostovar ended her career with a kill on set point.
"We didn't focus on winning championships," Almazan-Cezar said, though his squad did grab a Sac-Joaquin Division 2 title and the NorCal Open crown. "We focused on acting and playing like champions. Everyday, they worked hard."
USC commit Addison Coady skies for a block in Mater Dei's sweep of Rocklin on Saturday for the Open Division title. (PHOTO: Diane Torrence)
The Mater Dei coaches and players celebrate the Open Division crown, the second in three season. (PHOTO: Diane Torrence)
