Another round, another three-set sweep for the Mater Dei girls volleyball team.
The Monarchs, who opened the playoffs making quick work of Murrieta Valley in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 1AA playoffs, took down host San Clemente in the same fashion Thursday night.
Rachel Ritchie had 10 kills and Makena Martin had seven in the 25-18, 25-20, 25-21 victory.
“We executed offensively, we had a balanced offense, and other than the missed serves in game three, I couldn’t ask for a better result from our team,” Mater Dei coach Dan O’Dell said.
The Monarchs (22-7) will be host to Mira Costa of Manhattan Beach in the quarterfinals on Saturday night.
The Monarchs had Shannon Scully, Charlee Thomas and Abbie Cherin each chip in five kills. Setters Brielle Mullally and Angela Gonzalez had 15 and 12 assists, respectively.
“We don’t have Alysse Ford (now playing at USC), but we have some very good hitters,” O’Dell said. “We’re at our best when we all six hitters are going. I thought tonight we were able to get everyone going and it keeps teams off-balance.”
Cali Hoye led the Tritons with 14 kills. Cassie Stewart and Molly Morris had six and five kills, respectively.
Mater Dei was in control of the match throughout. In the second set, San Clemente was able to tie the score at 18-18, but Mater Dei answered with three consecutive points and ended the set on a block from Scully.
Also in Division 1AA:
Santa Margarita 3, San Juan Hills 0: The Eaglles (32-3) recorded their second consecutive sweep in the playoffs with a 25-16, 25-8, 25-16 victory over the Stallions.
Meghan McClure led the attack with 14 kills. Sarah Ciszek and Hannah Dolan had eight and seven, respectively.
Santa Margarita will visit Huntington Beach in the quarterfinals. The Oilers defeated Harvard-Westlake of Studio City in their second-round match.
In Division 1A:
Aliso Niguel 3, Norco 1: Kathryn Plummer had 21 kills and McKenna Ross had 11 as the Wolverines advanced with a 25-19, 20-25, 25-18, 25-15 victory at Norco.
Katie Kerins added eight kills for the Wolverines, who will host Valencia of Valencia in the quarterfinals.
In Division 2A:
Troy 3, Diamond Ranch of Pomona 1: Chantal Barnt’s 16 kills led the way for the Warriors (24-7) in a 25-22, 30-32, 25-22, 25-19 victory at Diamond Ranch.
Connie Fu and Zoe Wang had 12 kills apiece. Nicole Leano had 20 digs.
Troy will home against Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth in the quarterfinals.
In Division 2AA:
Esperanza 3, Mission Prep of San Luis Obispo 1: Avery Stowell led the visiting Aztecs with 18 kills and Karissa Davis and Gina Lipscomb had nine apiece in a 25-14, 24-26, 25-21, 25-22 victory.
Yagoda Jebrezejczak added eight kills for Esperanza. The Aztecs will be at South Torrance in the quarterfinals.
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com
