Cypress girls volleyball sweeps Foothill to win CIF-SS Division 3 title

NORWALK – The Cypress girls volleyball team played its best on the best day to do so.

The Centurions dominated as it swept Foothill in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 final Saturday at Cerritos College. They won by scores of 25-9, 25-15, 25-15.

It is Cypress’ second CIF-SS girls volleyball championship. The Centurions were Southern Section champions in 2007.

Cypress’ senior-led team attacked from all angles. Senior outside hitters Leona Alexis and Isabella Faro had nine kills apiece. Senior outside hitter Kendel Harris had eight kills.

Faro and senior setter Hannah Schoffstall both contributed five service aces. Harris had four aces. Schoffstall delivered 28 assists and senior libero Zuriel Gallegos had 14 digs.

Centurions junior middle blocker Katrina Sokolowski had six blocks.

Cypress (21-12) and Foothill (27-11) continue their seasons next week in the CIF Southern California Regional playoffs that begin Tuesday.

The Centurions had few lapses and began their domination early. They controlled the net, even with 5-foot-6 Schoffstall adding to the front-line wall. Faro and Harris hit with power.

Cypress had a 14-5 lead in the first set on the way to a 25-9 win.

The Centurions trailed 12-11 in the second set before zooming to an 8-0 run for a 17-12 lead that led to a 25-15 win.

Cypress rode another 8-0 run in the third set for another 25-15 victory.

Cypress coach Alex Griffiths said the Centurions played their best match of the season Saturday.

“We’re definitely peaking at the right time,” said Griffiths, who also coaches the school’s boys volleyball team and was the Orange County boys volleyball coach of the year in 2017. “We’ve always been good but we lacked consistency. We’ve always kind of beat ourselves throughout the year.”

Faro agreed that Centurions are now playing at their highest level.

“I think this game and in the semifinals is the best we’ve played,” Faro said. Cypress defeated St. Margaret’s 3-2 in the semifinals.

“All our hard work is paying off,” Faro said. “It all came into play in these playoffs.”

Foothill sophomore outside hitter June Stringham had a team-high nine kills. Senior opposite hitter Haley Langdon added seven kills for the Knights.

Regional brackets will be released Sunday.

Regional champions in Southern California and Northern California meet in the CIF State finals at Santiago Canyon College on Nov. 21 and 22.