Previews of the CIF-SS girls volleyball championships Saturday

SATURDAY’S CIF-SS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL FINALS

DIVISION 1

MATER DEI (34-4) VS. SIERRA CANYON (32-4)

Where, when: Cerritos College, Saturday, 7 p.m.

Outlook: Mater Dei tries for a second consecutive CIF-SS Division 1 girls volleyball championship. The Monarchs have won seven CIF-SS titles in the sport. They won their fourth straight Trinity League championship this season. In CIF-SS Division 1 pool play Mater Dei defeated Los Alamitos, Redondo Union and Huntington Beach. Monarchs junior Layli Ostovar has a team-high 276 kills. Mater Dei was a great team that became greater when sophomore Westley Matavao became eligible at the conclusion of the sit-out period; she transferred from Orange Lutheran. She has 214 kills in her half-season of play. Sierra Canyon has won three CIF-SS girls volleyball championships, most recently in 2022. Sophomore Hannah McGinest is the Trailblazers’ kills leader with 412. Sierra Canyon defeated Temecula Valley, Marymount and Mira Costa in pool play. Mater Dei defeated Sierra Canyon in a tournament match in September. All CIF-SS finalists qualify for the CIF Southern California Regional that begins next week. Regional schedules will be announced Sunday.

DIVISION 7

ST. PAUL (21-9) VS. LAGUNA BEACH (10-25)

Where, when: Laguna Beach High, Saturday, 6 p.m.

Outlook: Laguna Beach finished third in the Pacific Coast League and took a 5-25 record into the playoffs. The Breakers have won five CIF-SS girls volleyball championships, most recently in 2007. In these playoffs they beat Northwood, Cantwell-Sacred Heart, Barstow, Apple Valley and Paraclete to get to the championship match. St. Paul finished second in the Santa Fe League. In the playoffs the Swordsmen beat Rancho Alamitos, Oxford Academy, Northview and Whittier. St. Paul won its only CIF-SS girls volleyball title in 2017.

BELL GARDENS (18-18) VS. GARDEN GROVE (17-19)

Where, when: Cerritos College, Saturday, 10 a.m.

Outlook: Bell Gardens finished second in the Almost League. The Lancers are in a CIF-SS girls volleyball final for the first time. In these playoffs they beat Palm Springs, Indio, Vistamar and Charter Oak. Garden Grove is 0-1 in CIF-SS girls volleyball championship games. The Argonauts finished third in the Orange Coast League. Garden Grove outside hitter and team captain Jasmin Nusser averages 13 kills a match. Argos setter Liunelle Gasatan averages 23 assists a match.