The following is an excerpt from The San Diego Union-Tribune article, “Cathedral Catholic throws block party in regional volleyball final.”

The Dons lose a set for first time this season but beat Manhattan Beach Mira Costa in four sets and will play for the state title.

Cathedral Catholic High threw a block party and the result was a trip to the state finals.

On the crest of a 24-10 edge in blocks, the top-seeded Dons bounced back from losing their first set this season for a 25-20, 15-25, 25-14, 25-17 victory over No. 3 Manhattan Beach Mira Costa in the girls volleyball SoCal Regional finals Tuesday at Cathedral in Carmel Valley.

Cathedral Catholic (41-0) advances to Saturday’s State Open Division championship match at Santiago Canyon College at 6:30 p.m. against the winner of the NorCal Regional final between No. 2 San Jose Archbishop Mitty (30-8) and Mountain View St. Francis (33-0).

Blocking turned out to be the difference in the matchup of No. 1 in the nation (Cathedral) against No. 3 in the nation (Mira Costa).

“This was the goal all along,” Dons senior Cate Schnell, who saved her only two kills of the match for the end of the fourth set that led up to the game-winning point on a kill by senior Noemie Glover.

“Hey, we’re still undefeated heading into the match we’ve wanted all along.”

This win is the biggest yet for the Dons considering last year’s regional final was the end of the line thanks to eventual state champion Los Angeles Marymount.

“I’m so excited by this as a senior, especially after losing last year’s regional final to Marymount,” senior Ryleigh Patterson said. “Not losing any sets was never anyone’s priority.”

The Dons’ string of winning consecutive sets was snapped at 98 in the second set with Drew Wright leading the way for Mira Costa (38-5).

Wright had eight kills and an ace in the second set after collecting just three kills in the opening set.

“We knew we’d lose sets,” Dons coach Juliana Conn said. “Just refocus and play our game, which they did.

“But this was definitely the best blocking match we’ve had all this season.”

Cathedral Catholic has won five state titles, the last one coming in 2016 in Division II.

Glover led the Dons with 16 kills and three blocks.

Continue reading the full article at The San Diego Union Tribune.