As great as Mae Kordas has been this year for Cathedral Catholic’s girls volleyball team, the Dons know the further they advance in the postseason, the more contributions they’re going to need from other players.

The cavalry arrived in a monumental way Tuesday.

Cathedral Catholic’s underclassmen stepped up on yet another big stage, helping Kordas and libero Maya Evens on the way to a 25-20, 22-25, 25-20, 25-22 win over visiting Santa Ana Mater Dei — the No. 2 team in the nation ­— in the CIF State Open Division Southern California Regional Championships.

The Dons, 45-3 and ranked eighth in the nation by MaxPreps, advance to Saturday’s state championship against Northern California champion Archbishop Mitty at Santiago Canyon College in Orange. First serve is 6:30 p.m.

“We knew they would bunch (block) on Mae,” Dons coach Juliana Conn said. “So I told the girls you’re going to have your chances. We’re going to set you. In the beginning we were tight, but I told them we’re not going to win like that. And then we let go.”

Kordas finished with a match-high 17 kills, five blocks and two aces. On match point, she got a block and then put the ball away for the win.

“I think in the past on set points I’ve been a bit hesitant,” said Kordas, who had six kills in set one to set the tone. “I knew there was three (blockers) up and I was close to getting roofed but somehow it made its way in. But I knew I wanted to win by staying aggressive.”

The contributions of players like Madyson McCarthy, who had 11 kills, were the key to victory. Opposite Sophia Johnson had nine kills and two blocks. Middle Allison Dzieciuch had seven kills and three blocks. Outside Jojo Wilson had four aces — three in set four alone — to go with five kills.

And Evens was everywhere, logging 23 digs against a star-studded Mater Dei (37-5) team.

“We know we can win it all so when it gets to the end like that, you have to be more aggressive and take those big swings,” McCarthy said. “Mae’s definitely our role model, someone we look up to on the court. But everyone stepping up tonight and not just her was an overall key to our success.”

When the Monarchs tied it at 12 in set one, a hitting error gave the Dons the point with Evens going back to serve. Ten points later, the Dons were in complete control of a set they’d eventually win, 25-20. Evens’ third ace started the run. Junior opposite Sophia Johnson had two kills and a stuff block in the run.

The Dons jumped out to a 9-3 lead in set two, four of the points coming on stuff blocks. But the Monarchs fought back to take a 14-12 lead. Kordas’ kill from the outside made it 16-16, but it was her first and only kill of the set. After a Cathedral Catholic timeout down 20-16, Madyson McCarthy got a kill in serve receive and Kordas followed that up with an ace. The Dons put together a 3-0 run down 22-18 but couldn’t get closer than one the rest of the set.

The Dons again came out on fire in the third set, going ahead 10-3 before Mater Dei called timeout.

The teams traded big swings in the fourth and final set. The Dons went up 19-15 on Jojo Wilson’s ace to cap a 4-0 run, but the Monarchs tied it at 21. McCarthy’s swing gave the hosts a brief 22-21 lead. Kordas’ stuff block made it 24-22, and then the Yale-bound Kordas won the match.

“Everyone feels like they can help out,” Conn said. “Everybody feels like they can contribute. If anyone is having a hard time, it’s a group that if we do our job together, we’re going to win.”

Eastlake falls in Division 2 regional final

In the Division 2 Southern California Regional, No. 5-seeded Eastlake fell 3-1 (25-16, 25-21, 22-25, 25-22) at No. 1-seeded Bakersfield Centennial. The loss snaps a 10-match Eastlake winning streak. The Titans finish the season 28-12.

Centennial advances to Saturday’s 4 p.m. State Championship match against North No. 1 seed San Ramon Valley, which beat Clovis Buchanan 3-0.

Originally Published: November 19, 2024 at 8:35 PM PST