DIVISION V STATE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP : Capistrano Valley Christian Doesn’t Have to Wait for ’92

FULLERTON — It wasn’t supposed to happen until next year, but Capistrano Valley Christian didn’t mind celebrating early.

The Capistrano Valley Christian girls’ volleyball team won the school’s first State title by defeating Atherton Sacred Heart Prep, 15-7, 15-3, 16-14, in the Division V championships Saturday at Cal State Fullerton.

On match point, Karen Benkovsky’s spike deflected off Sacred Heart’s blockers and the Eagles (20-2) began rolling around the back court.

“This is a dream,” Capistrano Valley Christian Coach George Carey said. “We almost slipped into thinking ‘next year, next year,’ . . . but we loved that it was happening now.”

Only two seniors were on Capistrano Valley Christian’s squad this season, so Carey realistically pointed toward next season.

But the Eagles were ready this year. Led by the outside hitting of juniors Benkovsky and Kathleen Bunce, they overpowered the Gators (23-7). Benkovsky finished with 22 kills and only two hitting errors, Bunce had 14 kills.

“By far, they were the best team we’ve faced all year,” Sacred Heart setter Ana Tornabene said. “But for us to get here was great. The program has improved so much since (Coach Sue Friedenbach) arrived.”

“Capistrano Valley Christian was a little intimidating to us,” Friedenbach said. “ When I heard Stanford was recruiting two of their players, I kinda knew what to expect.”

Although Benkovsky and Bunce are attracting the attention of recruiters, it was sophomore Debbie Martin who set them up.

“Debbie got consistent with her sets midway through the season,” Carey said. “That’s when things really started blending together.”

Capistrano Valley Christian dominated all facets of the match, hitting .347 and serving 13 aces, including five each by Benkovsky and senior Melissa Cottingham.

“For us, State was great because the whole school was used to losing,” Carey said. “The funny thing was, before the match, we were the only calm ones on campus; everyone else was a basket case.

“Even the teachers who didn’t care about sports were nervous. It was like this group of girls was teaching this school what winning’s about.”