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  • Sage Hill's Maddy Abbott is a strong setter who has...

    Sage Hill's Maddy Abbott is a strong setter who has helped elevate the program to elite status.

  • Aliso Niguel's Lindsey Ruddins, left, and Kathryn Plummer are the...

    Aliso Niguel's Lindsey Ruddins, left, and Kathryn Plummer are the leaders of a powerhouse team that has lost only five sets all season and has eight talented players.

  • Saddleback Valley Christian's Heidi Dyer goes up to put the...

    Saddleback Valley Christian's Heidi Dyer goes up to put the ball over with her left hand during a CIF State Division IV SoCal Regional game against Escondido Adventist on Tuesday at Saddleback Valley Christian.

  • Mater Dei's Alyse Ford is coming off her best match...

    Mater Dei's Alyse Ford is coming off her best match of the season going into today's title match.

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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

SATURDAY’S CIF-SS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL FINALS

DIVISION 1AA

MATER DEI (28-10) vs. REDONDO (31-2)

Where, when: Cerritos College, 8 p.m.

Outlook: This is a match featuring the previous two runners-up in Division 1AA. Redondo lost to Marymount in 2012 and Mater Dei lost to Los Alamitos last year. The third-seeded Monarchs are in search of their first CIF title since 2003. When the teams met this season, on Sept. 11, the Sea Hawks defeated the Monarchs in four sets. Coach Dan O’Dell said Alyse Ford (25 kills, 26 digs) had her best match in the semifinals. Monarchs seniors Payton Chang, Brittany Welsh and J’Nai Higgins were on last year’s team. They’ve also received huge contributions from defensive specialist Gigi Alex and sophomore outside hitter Shannon Scully. The top-seeded Sea Hawks haven’t lost a match since the Durango Fall Classic in September.

DIVISION 1A

ALISO NIGUEL (28-1) vs. SANTIAGO OF CORONA (35-2)

Where, when: Cerritos College, 5 p.m.

Outlook: The top-seeded Wolverines had a season of firsts last year, winning their first league title and advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time. This year, they’re going after their first CIF title. Aliso Niguel has dropped only five sets all year. Coach DP Butler credits the team’s chemistry for its consistent play. The majority of the players have been together for three years. Lindsey Ruddins and Kathryn Plummer are the leaders, but the Wolverines are more than that dynamic duo. Summer Kerins, McKenna Ross, Olivia Amador, Kirsten Battle and setter Jewel Hays all have had significant roles in the team’s success. Butler said the team is like a family and the players will fight for everything on the court. The second-seeded Sharks’ losses have been against M.L. King of Riverside and Lakewood.

DIVISION 3AA

SAGE HILL (22-3) vs. ST. MARGARET’S (26-3)

Where, when: Fullerton College, 7:30 p.m.

Outlook: The Academy League rivals will meet for a fourth time in a CIF final. Sage Hill, which is making its fourth consecutive finals appearance, defeated St. Margaret’s in 2005 and 2011. The Tartans were victorious in 2012. The Tartans are making their fourth finals appearance in the last five years. The top-seeded Lightning swept the teams’ regular matches – in a sweep (Sept. 26) and in five sets (Oct. 14). Sage Hill’s success begins with the senior trio of setter Maddy Abbott and outside hitters Kekai Whitford and Halland McKenna. Their arrival signaled a turning point for Sage Hill. St. Margaret’s hasn’t lost a set since losing to Sage Hill in the teams’ second meeting. The Tartans won two of the first three sets in that meeting, but lost the final two sets, despite leading 16-11 in the fourth. Emily Miller and Peighton McRobbie combined for 33 kills and 32 digs. Gabby Benck had 10 kills.

DIVISION 3A

SADDLEBACK VALLEY CHRISTIAN (29-5)
vs. WOODCREST CHRISTIAN OF RIVERSIDE (23-3)

Where, when: Fullerton College, 5 p.m.

Outlook: The Warriors are in their third consecutive final. They lost in the 4A final to Hemet in 2012 and defeated the Bulldogs last year in the 4AA final. They’ve moved up to 3A this year and continued their stellar play. They haven’t lost a set in the playoffs. The Warriors made last year’s run without a senior on the roster. They’re a more seasoned group this year, led by Heidi Dyer (13 aces, 21 kills, 75 assists in the playoffs) and Jaelyn Greene (44 kills in the playoffs). Woodcrest Christian, ranked eighth in the final CIF poll, upset second-seeded Templeton and third-seeded Hemet to advance to tonight’s final.

Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com