State Titles Up for Grabs

The secret is out. Hushed tones can no longer cover up what Manhattan Beach Mira Costa is trying to do.

The Mustangs have quietly made it a priority to win a girls’ volleyball state championship for the first time since 1989, a goal that can now be talked about out loud.

“It’s kind of been our little secret,” said Coach DaeLea Aldrich, in her 21st season at Mira Costa. “We’ve got an opportunity to hang another banner in our gym and it’s been a long, long time since we’ve won a state title. It’s very motivating.”

Mira Costa (32-5) plays Mountain View St. Francis (29-2) for the state Division II championship at 5 p.m. today at Cypress College.

Mira Costa has won 11 Southern Section titles, but has only three state championships. St. Francis has won five state titles, more than any team.

Mira Costa lost to St. Francis in four games at the Santa Barbara tournament in October.

Sophomore Sydney Donahue, who missed part of the season with a foot injury, had 22 kills Tuesday against Santa Ana Mater Dei.

St. Francis starts four sophomores, including outside hitter Jessica Gysin, one of the top players in the state.

In the Division III match at 1:30 p.m., North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake (20-2) will try to win a second consecutive state championship and its third since 1995.

Seniors Courtney Schultz and Terbrie Taylor have dominated the middle in the playoffs, but Forestville El Molino (29-4) has plenty of height with 6-foot-3 middle blocker Amanda Fox, 6-1 outside hitter Sally Hanson and 6-0 setter Desma Stovall.

Harvard-Westlake defeated El Molino, 15-6, 15-6, at the Iolani tournament in Hawaii in August.

In Division IV at 11 a.m., L.A. Marymount (33-4) will also try for a second consecutive state title. The Sailors play Atherton Menlo School (30-4), a team they swept in last year’s state championship.

Six seniors graduated for Menlo, which is led by 6-foot freshman Alex Fisher.