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Damian Calhoun. Sports Newsroom Assistant.

// MORE INFORMATION: Associate Mug Shot taken August 24, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

HUNTINGTON BEACH After the first set, it appeared that the top-ranked Santa Margarita girls volleyball would be headed for a quick and easy night.

Then the second set happened, but even that couldn’t shake the Eagles’ confidence.

“I think we got comfortable in game two and situations like that we start to make more errors,” Santa Margarita coach Katy Daly said. “They (Santiago) played really well and I told the girls you’re more mature this year, you’ve played together, this miscommunication stuff, that’s not us anymore.”

The Eagles took that message to heart and dominated the third set, winning the match, 25-13, 19-25, 15-5 to capture the Dave Mohs Memorial Tournament Division 1 title over Santiago of Corona at Edison High on Monday night.

Junior outside hitter Meghan McClure was selected tournament MVP for the Eagles (9-0). Senior libero Jane Horner also earned all-tournament honors for the Eagles.

The Eagles lost just two sets in the tournament.

“I talk a lot about fluidity of them playing together and movement on the court and just being fluid,” Daly said. “I think that we started to get a little pressure and that fluidity kind of broke, and that was our problem.”

The first set was just short of perfect for the Eagles. Sophomore middle blocker Haley Carmo got the hot hand early in the set, recording seven kills. McClure had four, helping the Eagles take control of the set early on.

The total opposite occurred in the second set as the Eagles fell behind early and couldn’t get any closer than 15-12.

Santa Margarita opened the third set scoring four of the first five points and never looking back.

“That’s the maturity level,” Daly said. “It is like hey, we’re not doing that anymore. We’ve been in these situations and sometimes we haven’t come out on top, so I’m proud of them that they’re sick of that losing feeling.”

McClure led the Eagles with nine kills. Carmo added eight. Sarah Ciszek had four and Jackie Ghindia and Devon Chang added three apiece.

“I love their work ethic and how they play together,” Daly said. “They’ve played together for quite some time and I think it is all coming together. Are we flawless? No, absolutely not. There are still a lot of holes to work on, but they meshed well together.”