Sierra Canyon, Mater Dei Meet for the Third Straight CIF-SS Final

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This article is made possible by PrepDig subscribers. Thank you! ~ You can join with 30% off using code: Coachable247</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, November 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Cerritos College, Sierra Canyon and Mater Dei play for the CIF-SS Division 1 championship. It is the third straight year these two programs have met in the final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei swept Sierra Canyon in 2024. Sierra Canyon won the rematch in 2025. The seniors on both rosters have lived both results, and Saturday is their last CIF-SS final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I asked players from both rosters what this third matchup means to them, and the seniors told me how it feels to play it for the last time. Their answers are below in their own words.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sierra Canyon's seniors include Texas Tech commit [player_tooltip player_id='545313' first='Hanna' last='McGinest'], Tennessee commit [player_tooltip player_id='545258' first='Eva' last='Jeffries'], Missouri commit [player_tooltip player_id='338908' first='Lucky' last='Fasavalu'], USC commit [player_tooltip player_id='475609' first='McKenna' last='McIntosh'] and Nebraska commit [player_tooltip player_id='888357' first='Kendall' last='Omoruyi']. Mater Dei brings seniors UCLA commit [player_tooltip player_id='482047' first='Westley' last='Matavao'] and Cal commit [player_tooltip player_id='455792' first='Emma' last='Kingston'], along with junior commits [player_tooltip player_id='775543' first='Shewa' last='Adefemiwa'] (LSU) and [player_tooltip player_id='515127' first='Riley' last='Stringer'] (Hawai'i).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Match:</strong> CIF-SS Division 1 Championship | Sierra Canyon vs. Mater Dei | <strong>First serve:</strong> 6:30 p.m. | Saturday, November 7 | Cerritos College</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Rivalry</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two finals. Two different outcomes. One more chance to settle it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 2024, Mater Dei swept Sierra Canyon to win its second straight Division 1 title. In 2025, Sierra Canyon answered with a four-set win that denied the Monarchs a three-peat. Now they meet for the third straight November, with the CIF-SS Division 1 title on the line at Cerritos College.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That win last year was Sierra Canyon's first in nine tries against Mater Dei. The two finals are now split 1-1, and the seniors who have been on the floor for both of them know exactly what each result felt like.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is not a first look for either side. It is a matchup between players who already know how the other team serves, runs its middle and finds its go-to swing when the match tightens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Last Two Finals</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Final</th><th>Date</th><th>Winner</th><th>Sets</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2024</td><td>Sat, Nov. 9, 2024</td><td>Mater Dei 3-0</td><td>25-20, 25-16, 25-20</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Sat, Nov. 8, 2025</td><td>Sierra Canyon 3-1</td><td>23-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-21</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2024: Mater Dei in three</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei wrapped it up in 86 minutes. The Monarchs hit .228 to Sierra Canyon's .069 and finished with 44 kills to 21. [player_tooltip player_id='482047' first='Westley' last='Matavao'] led the way with 12 kills as a sophomore and took 26 serve receive attempts. Sam Capinpin ran the offense with 21 assists and was named the Mater Dei Player of the Match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sierra Canyon had pieces. The Trailblazers out-blocked Mater Dei 6 to 2, and sophomore Eva Jeffries led them with 7 kills. Sophomore setters [player_tooltip player_id='338908' first='Lucky' last='Fasavalu'] and [player_tooltip player_id='782106' first='Olive' last='Shum'] split the setting duties, and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='545313' first='Hanna' last='McGinest'] took 16 serve receive attempts. All three are back on the floor this year as seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2025: Sierra Canyon in four</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sierra Canyon dropped the opening set 25-23, then won the next three. [player_tooltip player_id='888357' first='Kendall' last='Omoruyi'] had 12 kills and 7 blocks on .320 hitting. Fasavalu ran the offense with 36 assists, added 3 aces and finished with 6 blocks. Jeffries and McGinest each had 10 kills, and [player_tooltip player_id='475609' first='McKenna' last='McIntosh'] added 11. The Trailblazers hit .221 to Mater Dei's .168 and blocked 11 balls to the Monarchs' 8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei kept it close. Layli Ostovar had 16 kills, Matavao had 15, and [player_tooltip player_id='455792' first='Emma' last='Kingston'] had 13 on .370 hitting and was named the Mater Dei Player of the Match. Kalea Lee handed out 23 assists, and the Monarchs out-dug Sierra Canyon 67 to 52.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The result was Sierra Canyon's second Southern Section Division 1 title and its fourth overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">What Is On the Line</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the seniors who have been through both finals, this is the tiebreaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='545313' first='Hanna' last='McGinest'], Eva Jeffries and [player_tooltip player_id='338908' first='Lucky' last='Fasavalu'] were sophomores when Sierra Canyon was swept in 2024. They were juniors when it won the title back. They have felt both sides of this rivalry, and Saturday is their last chance to decide which one they leave with. [player_tooltip player_id='782106' first='Olive' last='Shum'] was on the floor in 2024 and on the 2025 roster, so she has been part of both runs as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Mater Dei, [player_tooltip player_id='482047' first='Westley' last='Matavao'] and [player_tooltip player_id='455792' first='Emma' last='Kingston'] were sophomores when the Monarchs won their second straight title. They were juniors when the three-peat slipped away. Both have been among the Monarchs' top attackers in each final, and both are now looking to finish their careers with the trophy back in Santa Ana.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sierra Canyon is the defending champion. Mater Dei has won this title in back to back years and wants it back. The seniors on both rosters are the link between those two stories, and Saturday decides which one gets the last word.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who Has Been There Both Times</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three Sierra Canyon seniors have put up a stat line in both finals, and so have Mater Dei's [player_tooltip player_id='482047' first='Westley' last='Matavao'] and [player_tooltip player_id='455792' first='Emma' last='Kingston']. These tables compare the box scores from the 2024 and 2025 finals against the <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ca/chatsworth/sierra-canyon-trailblazers/volleyball/roster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sierra Canyon 2026 roster</a> on MaxPreps (last updated Sep. 28, 2026).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sierra Canyon</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>2026</th><th>2024 final</th><th>2025 final</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='545313' first='Hanna' last='McGinest']</td><td>Sr OH</td><td>4 K, 16 receptions</td><td>10 K, 21 receptions</td></tr><tr><td>Eva Jeffries</td><td>Sr OPP/OH</td><td>7 K, team high</td><td>10 K on .292</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='338908' first='Lucky' last='Fasavalu']</td><td>Sr S</td><td>8 assists, 9 digs</td><td>36 assists, 3 aces, 6 blocks</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='782106' first='Olive' last='Shum']</td><td>Sr S</td><td>5 assists, 1 ace</td><td>On roster, no stat line</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='545365' first='Leah' last='Madariaga']</td><td>Sr DS/L</td><td>1 set played</td><td>On roster, no stat line</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='888357' first='Kendall' last='Omoruyi']</td><td>Sr MB</td><td>Not on roster</td><td>12 K, 7 blocks on .320</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='475609' first='McKenna' last='McIntosh']</td><td>Sr OH</td><td>Not on roster</td><td>11 K, 19 receptions</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='725857' first='Arpi' last='Saryan']</td><td>Sr DS/OH</td><td>Not on roster</td><td>On roster, no stat line</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New to the Sierra Canyon roster this season: [player_tooltip player_id='999246' first='Payton' last='Wrighster'], Yianna Zaky-Papantoniou, Sydney Rincon, Blake Gurney, Anaya Dela Fuente, Maveti Faumuina and Isabella Torres-Wallace. Raneighla Gonzalez, [player_tooltip player_id='778947' first='Daisy' last='Brown'] and Kassidee Smith were on the 2025 final roster but did not have a stat line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mater Dei</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Checked against the 2026 Mater Dei roster. [player_tooltip player_id='482047' first='Westley' last='Matavao'] and [player_tooltip player_id='455792' first='Emma' last='Kingston'] are the two seniors with stat lines in both finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th>Player</th><th>2026</th><th>2024 final</th><th>2025 final</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='482047' first='Westley' last='Matavao']</td><td>Sr OH</td><td>12 K, 26 receptions, 13 digs</td><td>15 K, 20 receptions</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='455792' first='Emma' last='Kingston']</td><td>Sr MB</td><td>5 K on .500</td><td>13 K on .370, 3 blocks, Player of the Match</td></tr><tr><td>Kalea Lee</td><td>Sr S</td><td>Not on roster</td><td>23 assists</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='775543' first='Shewa' last='Adefemiwa']</td><td>Jr OH/OPP</td><td>Not on roster</td><td>3 K, 3 blocks</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore Jael Smith was a freshman in the 2025 final and had 4 blocks in two sets. Seniors who were on the 2025 roster without a stat line: Syri Messy, Malu Rodrigues, Paige Linden, Savanah Capinpin and Madi Dolsophon. New to the Monarchs roster this season: Saaliyah Brown, [player_tooltip player_id='486781' first='Katherine' last='Nowak'], [player_tooltip player_id='914874' first='Abbey' last='Krogh'], Sienna Cicero, Hailey Lee, Reagan Williams, [player_tooltip player_id='515127' first='Riley' last='Stringer'], Jimin Seung, Madison Nolting and Janiah Burrage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sierra Canyon</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["338908"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6b01c0de0001"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='338908' first='Lucky' last='Fasavalu']</strong> runs the Sierra Canyon offense, and this rivalry is personal for her in a way few others are. She is a senior setter and a Missouri commit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She split the setting with [player_tooltip player_id='782106' first='Olive' last='Shum'] in the 2024 final, finishing with 8 assists and 9 digs as a sophomore. A year later she ran the whole offense for 36 assists, 3 aces and 6 blocks in the title match. That is the clearest picture of how much she has grown in this series.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She reached 2,000 career assists in the 10/23 playoff opener against Marymount, using her strength to send the ball cross court and mixing in tricky dumps and fast serves. Last September she was a Durango All-Tournament selection and named to the AVCA Player of the Year Watch List for Region 9. At that point she told me she had been working on her connection with the younger girls, and Sydney Rincon credited her in our 10/23 preview for changing her approach as a setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She also told me in October that this is her last playoff run, and that she wants to leave a legacy with no regrets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is what she told me this week:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Saturday's game can't come soon enough! It's always exciting to play MD. For the obvious reasons, long time rivals and just good competition against some of the best not only in California but the nation! It's always a good time seeing my cousin West on the other side of the net doing her thing and all our family in the stands! The atmosphere is what I look forward to the most. It's like no other. It's electrifying. And to be at the center of it all is an indescribable feeling! Can't wait to run this offense one more time with the best girls, on the biggest stage! Blazers Mount Up!!!”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The cousin is Mater Dei senior [player_tooltip player_id='482047' first='Westley' last='Matavao'], a UCLA commit, so a cousin stands on each side of this final. Lucky wants the noise, the pressure and the family in the stands. A setter who calls the biggest stage “electrifying” is the kind who slows the match down for everyone else.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["545313"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6b01c0de0002"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545313' first='Hanna' last='McGinest']</strong> has played in this rivalry since she was a sophomore, and she has changed what she brings to it each year. She is a senior outside hitter and a Texas Tech commit. She plays club at [program_tooltip program_id='876208' first='SC' last='Rockstar'], the same club as Mater Dei's [player_tooltip player_id='747547' first='Syriana' last='Messy'], so she will face a club teammate across the net on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She was an NTDP Winter invitee as a sophomore and an NIT All-Tournament selection last February. When I first wrote about her in 2024, I described a relentless competitor and a fierce blocker whose energy lifts a team. That description still fits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the 2024 final, she hit 4 kills and took 16 serve receptions. In the 2025 final, she put up 10 kills and took 21 serve receptions. That is a hitter who grew into the pass-and-swing workload that decides a match against Mater Dei.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This fall she told me her Texas Tech commitment has her playing with more confidence and holding herself to a higher standard. She said she wants to lead and stay aggressive when the match gets tough. In the Marymount match on 10/23, I saw it in her shot selection. She picked her spots instead of swinging out of everything.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is what she told me this week:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“This third matchup means a lot because we know how competitive it's going to be, and we're excited for another chance to play them. Knowing it's my last time playing Mater Dei makes it even more special, and I want to leave everything on the court with my team.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no hedge in that answer. She wants this one with her teammates, and she is not pretending it is just another match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["545258"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6b01c0de0003"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545258' first='Eva' last='Jeffries']</strong> has turned height into a full hitting package. She is a 6'3" senior outside hitter and a Tennessee commit who plays club with City 18 Gold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She led Sierra Canyon with 7 kills in the 2024 final and added 10 kills on .292 in the 2025 final. The shot menu got bigger each year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In October she was hitting .333 as a senior with 149 career blocks, and she was closing in on 1,000 career kills. She told me then that she used to lean on her height and length, and that she has since added court vision, power, off-speed shots, and the ability to tool the block. On 10/23 against Marymount, I watched it play out. She found open corners and chose her shots with a high volleyball IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is what she told me this week:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“This third matchup, I'm just super excited to go out there and compete with my team. We've worked so incredibly hard and we're ready to leave it all on the court for each other. As a senior, I would love to win and I want to leave everything I have on the court and display who I am as a player.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She asks for two things, a win and the chance to show who she is as a player. That is a senior who knows what she wants from her last one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["725857"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6b01c0de0004"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='725857' first='Arpi' last='Saryan']</strong> is the teammate coaches ask about. She is a 5'8" senior defensive specialist and outside hitter who plays club with City 17 Gold and carries a 4.67 GPA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She was on the 2025 roster without a stat line, so her story in this rivalry is about role. In our 10/23 preview, she told me she was proudest of the support and energy she brings, and that she already knew what a CIF title feels like from last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is what she told me this week:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It's definitely bittersweet knowing this will be my last time facing Mater Dei, especially with a CIF championship on the line. We've worked so hard to get here, and there's nothing I'd love more than to beat Mater Dei and bring home another CIF title with these girls. I've tried to do my part by keeping the energy high, encouraging my teammates, and making sure we're all supporting each other. We're hungry for another championship, and I think a win on Saturday would give us even more momentum heading into state!”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She describes her job in practical terms: keep the energy high, encourage teammates, support each other. Those are habits, not slogans, and she is already thinking about state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["545365"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6b01c0de0005"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545365' first='Leah' last='Madariaga']</strong> has stayed ready through two finals. She is a senior libero and defensive specialist who plays club with Seal Beach 17-Black and won bronze at the 2024 GJNC 15 Open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She played one set in the 2024 final and was on the 2025 roster without a stat line. Last August, our Sierra Canyon coverage pointed to a backcourt that gave the team steady defense, and she was part of that group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is what she told me this week:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“This third matchup means a lot to me because we have all worked so hard to get to this point, and we know how much is on the line. I hope my teammates remember me as someone who always brought positive energy, supported everyone, and stayed encouraging no matter what happened. I want to make sure I do everything I can to help my team succeed and keep everyone motivated throughout the game. More than anything, I want us to give it everything we have, play together, and leave knowing we have no regrets.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She is writing her own legacy as a teammate, and she does not mention a stat line. Coaches who value culture should read that answer twice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["475609"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6b01c0de0006"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='475609' first='McKenna' last='McIntosh']</strong> joined this series in the 2025 final, and she made it count. She is a senior outside hitter and a USC commit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She was not on the 2024 final roster. A year later she hit 11 kills with 19 serve receptions in the title match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She was an NTDP Spring invitee in 2025 and a Durango All-Tournament selection that September. In October her career totals stood at 1,403 kills, 904 digs and 193 aces, and she told me she hoped to finish a four-for-four run of section titles while leaving a legacy with this group. On 10/23, her swing looked sharp, with power from both the front row and the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is what she told me this week:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“This week is all about preparing our bodies and minds for Saturday's Section Championship. We've put in the work, studied the film, and now it's time to execute. Saturday night, we're playing for each other and something bigger than ourselves. This is a special group of girls, and we're ready to leave it all on the court.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her answer is about the group, not her own numbers. She talks about preparation, film and execution, which is how a senior with those career totals sounds when the stakes are highest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["888357"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6b01c0de0007"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='888357' first='Kendall' last='Omoruyi']</strong> is the middle Mater Dei has to account for on every swing. She is a senior, PrepDig's No. 1 player in California in the Class of 2027, and a Nebraska commit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She was not on the 2024 final roster. In the 2025 final she finished with 12 kills and 7 blocks on .320.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On 10/23 against Marymount, she hit with power and speed, came up with solo blocks and served an ace. In our 10/30 Mira Costa preview, she told me she leads by bringing positive energy and keeping her teammates confident and composed. She said this run means a lot because it is her last chance to compete with this group before she heads to Nebraska.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She talks about her teammates before her numbers. That is the habit coaches want from a No. 1 player, and it is why Saturday matters beyond the box score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mater Dei</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["455792"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6b01c0de0008"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455792' first='Emma' last='Kingston']</strong> has been in the middle of this rivalry from the start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She is a 6'4" senior middle blocker, committed to Cal and ranked No. 22 in the state's 2027 class. Congratulations, Emma, on getting back to the CIF finals one more time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She was a sophomore in the 2024 final, when Mater Dei swept Sierra Canyon, and she put away 5 kills on .500 hitting. Last year she raised her game. She had 13 kills on .370 hitting and 3 blocks and was named the Mater Dei Player of the Match, even though Sierra Canyon won in four sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have watched Emma for years. She closes the net with quick feet and picks her angles with purpose. This fall she looks like a player who knows exactly what her team needs from her in a match like this.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is what she told me about this last one:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“This means a lot as a senior. This is my last time being in the CIF finals and I will miss it. Sierra is a formidable opponent, but I'm confident in our team and our plan against them. It should be a really good game, and I have a lot of respect for them. But I am also confident in our own abilities and talents to compete at such a high level.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That is the voice of a player who has seen both outcomes in this matchup. She respects Sierra Canyon and she still trusts her team's plan. Coaches should notice how she talks about a rival she has faced two years running: with respect, and without flinching.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["747547"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6b01c0de0009"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747547' first='Syriana' last='Messy']</strong> sets the tone before the whistle. She is a 5'11" senior pin hitter at Mater Dei who plays club with [program_tooltip program_id='876208' first='SC' last='Rockstar']'s 18 Mykah team, and she speaks four languages. Sierra Canyon's [player_tooltip player_id='545313' first='Hanna' last='McGinest'] plays at the same club, so Saturday puts two club teammates on opposite sides of the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She was on the 2025 roster without a stat line, so this is her first chance to define herself in this matchup. In September she told me she was working on hitting consistency and shot selection, with extra reps to sharpen her timing. Teammates know her for energy and dependability, and she was aiming for Division 1 and fielding real interest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is what she told me this week:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“These matchups are always competitive, and they're something I've gotten used to and looked forward to ever since I got to Mater Dei! As a leader, I try to set the tone by bringing energy every day, challenging my teammates in practice, and making sure we stay locked in and start on time and focused heading into every game, especially against a team like Sierra Canyon. We know the talent SC can bring, but we believe in ourselves and the work we've put in to get to this point as a team. We're excited to still be competing this late in the season. We've had an amazing year, and with only a few games left, this is the time you want to be playing your best volleyball. This is a great challenge, and we're looking forward to it.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She names three habits: daily energy, challenging teammates in practice, and starting every game on time and focused. That is what a leader sounds like when her job is not on the stat sheet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["482047"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6b01c0de000a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='482047' first='Westley' last='Matavao']</strong> has been Mater Dei's answer in both finals. She is a senior outside hitter and a UCLA commit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She hit 12 kills with 26 serve receptions and 13 digs in the 2024 final. In the 2025 final she added 15 kills with 20 serve receptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In October, our California 2027 Top 10 pointed to nearly 1,000 career kills, 730 career digs and 113 aces from a six-rotation outside. She won back-to-back MVP honors at the Durango Fall Classic in 2025 and 2026, helped Mater Dei win the Nike TOC and was named to the AVCA Player of the Year Watch List. On 10/28 against Santa Margarita, she finished with 9 kills, 2 aces and 9 digs, going back to her fast top-spin serve and cutting the ball at a hard angle for back-to-back kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='338908' first='Lucky' last='Fasavalu'] told me this week that Westley is her cousin, so a cousin stands on each side of this final. Saturday is the last time they will meet in a CIF-SS final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["775543"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6b01c0de000b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='775543' first='Shewa' last='Adefemiwa']</strong> brings power at the net. She is a junior LSU commit who plays outside hitter and opposite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She was not on the 2024 final roster. In the 2025 final she had 3 kills and 3 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In September she told me she was working to become more vocal and to build trust with her teammates, who describe her as dependable. She is known for her strength at the net, she can move across the lineup, and she wants to become a real force in the SEC. Away from the court, she is a talented singer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["486781"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6b01c0de000c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='486781' first='Katherine' last='Nowak']</strong> is the story of Mater Dei's depth. She is a senior outside hitter who came over from JSerra and now starts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She is new to the Monarchs this season, so this is her first final with the program. Making that move as a senior and earning a starting spot says a lot about how she works and how she fits with this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On 10/28 against Santa Margarita, she finished with 9 kills on .400, 12 digs and 14 serve receptions, and she scored 11 points from the service line. She stayed steady all night and made smart choices over the block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Also on the Rosters</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These athletes are also on the rosters for Saturday's final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sierra Canyon:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='782106' first='Olive' last='Shum-Koubek'] (2027 S), who split the setting with [player_tooltip player_id='338908' first='Lucky' last='Fasavalu'] in the 2024 final, [player_tooltip player_id='999246' first='Payton' last='Wrighster'] (2028 DS), [player_tooltip player_id='778947' first='Daisy' last='Brown'] (2029 S) and Yianna Zaky-Papantoniou (2028 DS).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mater Dei:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='515127' first='Riley' last='Stringer'] (2028 S, Hawai'i commit), who ran the Monarchs offense at 5.0 assists per set this season, and [player_tooltip player_id='914874' first='Abbey' last='Krogh'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many of the other athletes on both rosters shared their voices in our earlier playoff previews this month, including <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/cif-d1-round-1-marymount-at-sierra-canyon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CIF D1 Round 1: Marymount at Sierra Canyon</a>, <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/cif-d1-round-3-mira-costa-prepares-for-sierra-canyon/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/cif-d1-round-3-mira-costa-prepares-for-sierra-canyon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CIF D1 Round 3: Mira Costa Prepares for Sierra Canyon</a> and <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/cif-d1-round-2-santa-margarita-at-mater-dei/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/cif-d1-round-2-santa-margarita-at-mater-dei/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CIF D1 Round 2: Santa Margarita at Mater Dei</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>All stats and results are sourced from MaxPreps.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Game Details</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CIF-SS Division 1 Championship</strong> | Sierra Canyon vs. Mater Dei | Saturday, November 7 | 6:30 p.m. | Cerritos College</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">If You Enjoyed This Article, Help Us Keep the Momentum Going</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>🔥 Athletes</strong><br><a href="https://prepdig.com/prospect-index/">Update your PrepDig Prospect Index profile</a> so it's complete and current, with a photo, your club, your school and your latest film. Explore the player profiles featured in this article and see how other athletes are building their stories. Then share this article and tag your teammates. Visibility grows when you're part of the conversation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>📣 Club Coaches &amp; Directors</strong><br><a href="https://prepdig.com/california/clubs/club-programs/">Keep your club updated in the California Club Program Database</a> and stay connected to every opportunity we create for exposure. Celebrate the athletes from your program who were featured, and use this article to start a conversation about trajectory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>🎯 College Coaches</strong><br><a href="https://prepdig.com/college-subscribe/">Use a Premium College Subscription</a> to learn more about the whole athlete: full profiles, rankings, evaluations and the stories behind the stat line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>🙏 Parents &amp; Supporters</strong><br>Download the Prep Network app (<a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/prep-network/id6761510133">iPhone</a> | <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.prepnetwork.app">Android</a>) to follow your athlete's journey and share this article with your family, your club and your community. Thank you for taking the time to read and support the exposure PrepDig provides for these athletes, and for helping us celebrate the work behind every name on this page.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>🚀 <strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">Upgrade to a PrepDig+ Subscription</a></strong><br>Access exclusive rankings, deeper analysis, and the full Prospect Index to follow every athlete's journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">N<a href="https://prepdig.com/events" data-type="link" data-id="prepdig.com/events"><strong>eed More Exposure? Attend a PrepDig Showcase</strong></a></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Use Code: MichelleBamford10 for $10 off on all Showcases</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our showcases are designed for athletes who want to take ownership of their recruiting journey and better understand how visibility, evaluation, and opportunity work together. These events offer more than competition. They provide athletes with a chance to learn how exposure works, compete in front of evaluators, build confidence, and gain valuable insight into what coaches are looking for at each stage of development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether your goal is to improve communication, showcase your skills, earn recognition, receive meaningful evaluation, or simply learn how to stand out in a competitive environment, each showcase is built to help athletes grow both on and off the court. If you're ready to invest in your development, tell your story, and put yourself on the radar, <a href="https://prepdig.com/all-events/?type=Showcase" id="https://prepdig.com/all-events/?type=Showcase"><strong>registration is open</strong></a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1058263,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/11/image_16c1a8.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1058263"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thank you for making today's wins matter — one article, one player, one memory at a time.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->