Scripps Ranch wins Division 1 volleyball title, Rock Academy takes Division 4

There was a point around midseason that Scripps Ranch’s girls volleyball team could easily have questioned how things would finish in November.

After all, championship teams rarely put together streaks where they lose 10 of 11.

But the Falcons found their toughness, got back to their winning ways and topped off perhaps an unlikely season with a 25-22, 25-22, 25-11 win over Carlsbad in Friday’s CIF Division I Championship held at Francis Parker.

“Those losses probably helped us and made us work harder in practice, try some different lineups, engage in practice and believe in what we were doing,” Falcons coach Roni Greenwood-Hooper said. “There are nine seniors on this team, and it’s an incredibly special group of seniors.”

Middle Bryce Leatherwood had 14 kills to lead Scripps Ranch (23-15). A well-rounded effort saw Olivia Bryant add eight kills, Anissa Cooper five, Elyse Taschner had four and Kristen White three.

The Lancers (24-9) were led by Ruby Partain’s 14 kills and two aces. Fellow senior outside Havani Embry added six kills and Katie Drury and Avery Brick each contributed with four.

“If you would have asked me in August if we’d be here tonight, I’m not sure I would have been able to say yes,” Lancers coach Tom Bloomquist said. “So many girls stepped up so we’re super proud.”

In the earlier Division IV match, The Rock Academy used a relentless defense and the powerful right arm of senior Alexa Baird to top No. 1 seed Canyon Hills, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22.

“This group of girls is very determined,” Warriors coach Jasmine Julye said. “They love each other, and I knew that we would have a good season with all of this. I’m just happy to finish the way we hoped we would.”

It was actually the third consecutive title match appearance for The Rock Academy (19-7). The Warriors got a huge effort from Baird with a team-high 14 kills. She’s listed at both middle and outside, and she put balls away from everywhere.

When the teams met in August, Baird took 40 swings. She didn’t have to carry such a load this time.

Martha Mulumbilwa also finished in double digits in kills with 10 and added a pair of aces. Brooke Rodrigues had four aces and a pair of kills. Aliya Landes contributed four kills, and Danielle Lara had two kills and three aces.

Canyon Hills (16-8) had plenty of chances but critical errors down the stretch in each set was too much to overcome.

“We haven’t been pressured a whole lot in the playoffs, and I think we were pressured very early tonight,” Rattlers coach Taylor Moran said. “It took us a little too long to get it back. But I’m so proud of them.”

The Rattlers got a match-high 20 kills from Kenzy Ryan. She also added two aces. Layla Kerschner added five kills, and Ciana Everett had four.

After the Rattlers ran off five straight early in set one, the Warriors battled back on the service line and with defense. A 7-6 deficit turned into a 19-14 lead, Baird putting the ball away three times in the run. She had six kills in the set, and the Warriors totaled five aces.

The Rattlers jumped out to leads of 8-1 and 12-5 in set two. But the Warriors put together a 9-2 run to tie it at 14. Tied again at 21, the Rattlers had three hitting errors down the stretch.

The Rattlers again had their chances in set three but couldn’t avoid a bevy of mistakes. They held their final lead at 16-15 on a Ryan kill and Everett stuff block. Rodrigues’ ace and a block by Nevaeha Noguera and Lara keyed the comeback.

“We were able to learn from each championship run,” Baird said. “The more we played together, the more we had that passion to do it for our school.”