CIF State Final Preview – Who will bring home a championship?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fierce battles across the state have come to this point, where the CIF state championship matches will determine which high schools reign supreme in California. The CIF southern playoffs and regional playoffs saw some epic battles to get to here. Which high schools will take home the state crown?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":191668,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/04/Sophia-wolfson-Actyve-e1650582122962-684x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-191668" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sophia Wolfson, a 6'2" Brown University commit, will look to help The Buckley School in winning the CIF state title this weekend.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Open Division</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the Open Division, it's the battle of the undefeated teams with Saint Francis facing Cathedral Catholic. Cathedral Catholic has been superb all season and have not dropped a match yet. Additionally, they hadn't even dropped a set until Mira Costa managed to take one off of them during the regional final. Mira Costa did everything that they could to get to the CIF regional final, taking down powerhouse Sierra Canyon in five sets after getting swept by them in the CIF Southern Section final. For Cathedral Catholic at an impressive 41-0, [player_tooltip player_id='161445' first='Julia' last='Blyashov'] has been unstoppable all season. The 6'3” senior outside hitter, who is committed to Stanford, can do it all as a very skilled six-rotation player with great ball control and size. Saint Francis will have its work cut out for them in taking on the top ranked team in the nation. However, the Lancers have proven equally as tough all season going undefeated (34-0) and having to fend off NorCal rival and volleyball powerhouse, Archbishop Mitty, an astounding six times this season. Saint Francis has been successful under the consistent play of junior outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='160975' first='Erin' last='Curtis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='161032' first='Taylor' last='Williams'].&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division I</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Division I Palos Verdes high school looks to earn its first state title, led by their big 6'4” outside hitter, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='188236' first='Kaci' last='Demaria']. The Sea Kings had to battle as they were without Kaci at points during section and regional playoffs due to illness. They were able to battle with the help of steady backrow play from senior libero Meg Walsh, a Texas Christian University commit. Senior setter Tatum Lane, a University of San Diego commit, has been dishing it out to the hitters consistently and has a nice connection with the middles. While 5'10” junior outside hitter and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo commit, Kendall Beshear, has been a powerful arm on the pin and from behind the service line. The Sea Kings will face Branson who has been consistent all season behind 6' junior and Stanford commit, setter Logan Tusher, who directs her offense well with great speed and location to her hitters. Branson has been on an upswing in the playoffs and will look to continue on that hot streak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division II</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clovis North (28-10) looks to best Chaminade (39-3) as they face off in the Division II finals. Clovis North won the CIF Division II Northern California championship and have been on a roll lately. They have been tough to stop on the pins with senior [player_tooltip player_id='160318' first='Peyton' last='Bitter'] and sophomore opposite/outside Ava Rogers taking charge of the scoring on the offense. Chaminade's senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='163281' first='Danit' last='Cohen'] who is only 5'8” but plays a big game, leading her team in a 5-1 system.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division III, IV, V</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Division III, Archie Williams, the first seed on their side of the bracket, will face Buckley who was also the first seed on the other side of the bracket. Buckley also won the Southern Section title. Archie Williams (20-6) will likely be led by, undersized but highly effective, senior outside hitter Elsa Snipes. Snipes has great court vision and can score with precision, she is committed to Arizona State for beach volleyball. Buckley will likely look to junior outside hitter Adonia Anene, a Stanford commit, to score from the pin. Anene and Sophia Wolfson, a Brown University commit, were key in Buckley's offense and CIF Southern Section final victory against Marina in three sets.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>In Division IV, Ripon Christian will face Central Valley Christian for the state title. These teams have faced off before at the very beginning of the season in August with Ripon Christian coming out on top in their first meeting. [player_tooltip player_id='160984' first='Lilinoe' last='Spencer'] has been a dynamo on offense for Central Valley, while Ripon Christian has an equally offensive threat in hitter [player_tooltip player_id='160970' first='Jordan' last='Vander Veen']. The Division V state final will feature Berean Christian against Victory Christian Academy from Chula Vista. Victory Christian reached the championship match by winning a hard fought five set regional final against Marshall. Annasophia Vranjes will be a hitter to watch for Berean Christian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->