Mater Dei battles back to win playoff match

Mater Dei overcame a giant fourth-game deficit to pull out the victory over Mission Viejo, 18-25, 25-18, 25-19, 25-22, in the opening round of the CIF-SS Division I-AA playoffs on Tuesday night at Mater Dei High.

Emily Doll recorded a team-high 11 kills and four more Monarchs combined for 33 kills. Monica Stauber contributed out a season-high 44 assists for Mater Dei (20-9).

"I'm so proud of the girls," Mater Dei coach Jimmy Munoz said. "The last four days we practiced being in situations like that. In the last timeout I told the girls if we can do it in practice we can do it in the game."

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Click here to read a roundup of the other playoff matches.

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Leading 2-1 in games, Mater Dei trailed 19-12 in Game 4. An ace by Sara Hughes pulled the Monarchs to 19-16 and forced a Mission Viejo timeout.

Mater Dei evened the score at 21 on a tip down on an overpass by Madeline Frome. Mater Dei went ahead 22-21 on a kill from Doll.

Mission Viejo (13-13) tied it at 22 on a right-side kill from Kaela Goodman. However, Mater Dei won the final three points, ending the match when a Diablos shot fell long.

"We got the momentum going," Doll said.

Mission Viejo had an early lead, 14-11, in Game 3 before Mater Dei tied the score at 17. The Monarchs closed the game on an 8-2 run to pull ahead in the match.

"Once the nerves settled down and we both starting playing volleyball, I think Mater Dei did a better job executing in transition," Diablos coach Gus Culver said. "They did a good job of playing defense on the big points."

In other CIF girls volleyball:

In Division I-AA:

No. 2 Los Alamitos 3, Chaminade of West Hills 0: Jane Croson and Christina Harris combined for 22 kills as the Griffins eased past Chaminade, 25-11, 25-14, 25-16.

Edison 3, Newbury Park 0: The Chargers rolled past Newbury Park with the sweep, 25-15, 25-7, 25-17. Hallie Carter posted a team-high 12 kills.

San Clemente 3, Great Oak of Temecula 0: The Tritons were led by 10 kills apiece from Molly Yoder and Erin Talafus and swept visiting Great Oak, 25-21, 25-18, 25-13.