Torrey Pines And Archbishop Mitty Top Seeds In CIF Open

Torrey Pines And Archbishop Mitty Top Seeds In CIF Open

We're breaking down every match of the CIF State Girls Open Volleyball Championship and predicting winners.

Nov 14, 2017 by Megan Kaplon
Torrey Pines And Archbishop Mitty Top Seeds In CIF Open

The California Interscholastic Federation's (CIF) Open Division state tournament for girls volleyball pits the absolute best-of-the-best high school teams in the state against each other to crown the undisputed champion. 

The CIF released its state tournament brackets on Sunday night. All matches played at the higher seed's home gym. 

San Diego Section champ Torrey Pines earned the top seed in SoCal, while the decorated Archbishop Mitty team got the nod in NorCal as it seeks its seventh consecutive NorCal regional title, as well as a fifth straight state title.

Below are our previews and predictions for every match in the tournament.

Tune in right here on FloVolleyball to watch the NorCal and SoCal Open regional championship matches, and every division's state championship match, Dec. 1-2.

*Live coverage in Southern California available through Spectrum.

Southern California Open Division Team Seeds

1. Torrey Pines (32-3), San Diego Section Open Division champion

2. Mater Dei (34-5), Southern Section Division 1 champion

3. Marymount (30-8), Southern Section Division 1 runner-up

4. Canyon Crest Academy (26-9), San Diego Open Division runner-up

5. Redondo Union (34-5), Southern Section Division 1 semifinalist

6. Central (40-2), Central Section Division 1 champion

7. Cathedral Catholic (23-7), San Diego Section Open Division semifinalist

8. Corona del Mar (23-7), Southern Section Division 1 semifinalist

First Round

No. 8 Corona del Mar @ No. 1 Torrey Pines

This is a rematch from the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions in which Torrey Pines prevailed 25-19, 25-19, 25-22. Junior Emily Fitzner led the Falcons in that matchup with 10 kills, three errors, 17 attempts to hit .412. The team outside of her recorded 19 additional errors and only hit .178. 

A little home cooking will likely help to elevate that percentage this time around, as will three days to prepare. However, Corona del Mar does have a four-set win over Marymount from the end of September to its credit.

Prediction: Torrey Pines in three sets

No. 7 Cathedral Catholic @ No. 2 Mater Dei

Natalie Berty, Siena Secrist, and Meg Brown are all averaging at least 2.3 kills per set for the Monarchs, while setter/opposite Mia Tuaniga has recorded 786 assists and leads her team with 55 service aces on the year as a sophomore.

Cathedral Catholic is led offensively by Peyton Wilhite and Lindsey Miller who are both averaging at least 3.3 kills per set and hitting .250.

Prediction: Mater Dei in three

No. 6 Central @ No. 3 Marymount

The Sailors of Marymount High School fell to Mater Dei in a straight-set sweep on Saturday evening in the CIF Southern Section Division I championship match, but they'll have a chance at a rematch if they can make it past Central. 

In their CIFSS championship defeat the Sailors were held to a playoff low .214, so in order to move on they must find answers on the offensive end. 

Devon Newberry, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter, leads the Marymount offense at 3.2 kills per set with a hitting percentage of .232 and 236 digs on the year. The 6-1 middle Emma Moffet adds 2.4 kills per set while hitting .352, and 6-5 setter Grace Frohling leads the team in blocking, while also ranking third on the team with 202 kills. 

For Central, it’s Makayla Lewis leading the offense with 523 kills hitting .237. Amethyst Harper is averaging 2.8 kills per set and hitting at a .236 since October 3 for the Grizzlies. 

Prediction: Marymount in four

No. 5 Redondo Union @ No. 4 Canyon Crest Academy

Redondo Union’s only losses on the season are to Harvard-Westlake, Assumption of Louisville, Kentucky, Mater Dei, and Marymount, and the Sea Hawks are led by USC-bound Brooklyn Schirmer. 

Hannah Martin, Evie Gonzalez, and Olivia Schewe all have at least 220 kills on the season for Canyon Crest Academy, which boasts early season wins over Cathedral Catholic in five and Corona del Mar in four, along with a five-set loss to Torrey Pines a three-set set loss to Marymount. 

Prediction: Canyon Crest Academy in four

Second Round

No. 4 Canyon Crest Academy @ No. 1 Torrey Pines

Canyon Crest pushed Torrey Pines to five sets in their first meeting this season, but the Falcons have been on a roll as of late and we’re picking Torrey Pines in four.

Prediction: Torrey Pines in four

No. 3 Marymount @ No. 2 Mater Dei

The Sailors will get their second shot at Mater Dei in a week, but it will come in a true road match. In the Southern Section final Marymount struggled offensively and posted a .214 hitting percentage while the Monarchs hit .339. 

We’ll likely see a much more competitive match than the CIFSS championship, but expect the Monarchs to complete their undefeated home schedule and move on to the regional final.

Prediction: Mater Dei in five

Regional Final

No. 2 Mater Dei @ No. 1 Torrey Pines

This is a really tough pick. Torrey Pines would have home floor in this matchup, but both teams have plenty of offensive firepower and great pieces defensively. Expect this one to go the distance and quite possibly extra points in a couple of sets.

Prediction: Torrey Pines in five


CIF NorCal Open Team Seeds

1. Archbishop Mitty (33-5), Central Section Open Division champion

2. Marin Catholic (30-4), North Coast Section Division 3 champion

3. Turlock (33-8), Sac-Joaquin Section Division 1 champion

4. St. Ignatius (33-9), Central Section Open Division runner-up 

5. Monte Vista (34-2), North Coast Section Division 1 champion

6. Menlo School (29-5), Central Coast Section Open Division semifinalist 

7. Saint Francis (21-13), Central Coast Section Open Division semifinalist 

8. St. Francis (34-8), Sac-Joaquin Section Division 1 runner-up 

Round 1

No. 8 St. Francis @ No. 1 Archbishop Mitty

This is a rematch of a tournament pairing from mid-October, which Archbishop Mitty won 25-7, 25-18. St. Francis hit -.015 percent in that first meeting while allowing Mitty to hit almost .500 .491). The Troubadours offense will have to turn around in a big way for this to be a match. 

Prediction: Archbishop Mitty in three

No. 7 Saint Francis @ No. 2 Marin Catholic

This is another tournament rematch, this time from the last day of September won by Marin Catholic 25-15, 25-19. The Wildcats out-hit Saint Francis .382 to .169 on that day and out-blocked the Lancers 14-1. Those are some pretty long statistical odds to overcome in a true road setting.

Prediction: Marin Catholic in four

No. 6 Menlo School @ No. 3 Turlock

Looking at common opponents, this looks like it could be a pretty good matchup. Turlock won 2-1 over Aragon and Harker in a late October tournament. Menlo played Harker twice, winning both, one 3-0, the other 3-1, and against Aragon, Menlo prevailed 3-0. Junior outside Grace King leads the Knights offense with a .283 hitting percentage posting 275 kills on the year. Sophomore outside Jazmyn Tubbs has 365 kills on the year to lead Turlock. 

Prediction: Turlock in four

No. 5 Monte Vista @ No. 4 St. Ignatius

Both sides have played a lot of the same opponents. The biggest difference between these teams is that St. Ignatius was able to take a set from No. 2 seed Marin Catholic earlier in the season. Monte Vista is led by Nicole Cavote, who has 343 kills on the season to date. 

Prediction: St.Ignatius in four

Regional Semifinals

No. 4 St. Ignatius @ No. 1 Archbishop Mitty

Somehow I don't see this being the year Archbishop Mitty’s streak of regional titles ends. This is a rematch of a meeting from late September in which Archbishop Mitty prevailed 19-25, 25-15, 25-14, 26-24 over St. Ignatius.

Prediction: Archbishop Mitty in three

No. 3 Turlock @ No. 2 Marin Catholic

At this time of year, it's not easy to sweep. I think Turlock puts up a fight and at least takes a set but ultimately falls. 

Prediction: Marin Catholic in four

Regional Final

No. 2 Marin Catholic @ No. 1 Archbishop Mitty

Archbishop Mitty would be home and playing for a seventh consecutive regional title. I don't think Marin Catholic will be intimidated by that fact; however, having home floor is  a huge advantage in the postseason. 

Prediction: Archbishop Mitty in three


State Tournament Open Division Final

Torrey Pines vs. Archbishop Mitty

If this plays out, it has the potential to be a great showcase of California High School volleyball, with a stacked SoCal program taking on a dynasty from up north. 

Prediction: Mitty in 5


By Derryl Trujillo