Sage Hill rallies to beat St. Margaret's in five-set thriller

CYPRESS - For the second time in seven years, Sage Hill has defeated St. Margaret’s in the girls CIF-SS Division 4AA volleyball championships.

The Lightning dominated at the net to win the five-set marathon, 27-29, 25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 15-9 at Cypress College on Saturday night.

Both teams will likely be invited to the state playoffs, which start Tuesday. The pairings will be announced Sunday.

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“We made great plays after great plays and we were blocking with authority,” Sage Hill coach Dan Thomassen said. “It feels great to win.”

Blocking was the key in the fifth set as senior middle blocker Zoe Kreitenberg contributed with timely blocks and tips for points. Kreitenberg, who is headed to West Point, had 15 kills for the match.

“Our net play was the key as we really relied on our setters and passers,” Kreitenberg said. “It (victory) hasn’t hit me yet, but I’m happy for our seniors.”

Before a capacity crowd, St. Margaret’s (20-5) jumped out to a 29-27 first-set win behind junior outside hitter Gigi Morally. She had seven kills (21 for the match) and senior middle blocker Ali Robinson (12 kills, 6 blocks, 9 digs) had five.

Sage Hill, 23-6 overall and winners of 12 straight matches, jumped out to an early 5-0 second-set lead but held on for the four-point set win, 25-21.

Sage Hill freshman sensation Halland McKenna dominated with her net play. She had 14 kills and 11 assists and had the match winner with a kill to win the title.

“We wanted to win this match no matter who was on the other side of the net,” St. Margaret’s coach Susie Maga said, referring to their Academy League rivals.

St. Margaret’s Emily Moore, who has committed to NYU, contributed 41 assists, while junior outside hitter Gigi Morally had 21 kills.