Paloma Valley volleyball final set for Saturday at Cerritos

Team unity and depth have helped lead the Paloma Valley girls volleyball team into the CIF Division 3 finals. Photos by Kristi Jo Aguirre

Paloma Valley High School's CIF Division 3 championship match against Ontario Christian will take place Saturday at 2 p.m. at Cerritos College, CIF officials announced today.

The Wildcats will be making their second consecutive appearance in the CIF finals. They lost to Ontario Christian in the 2018 divisional final, played in the Paloma Valley gym. Paloma advanced to the state tournament despite that loss but was beaten by the Knights again in the second round at Ontario Christian.

It wouldn't be a stretch to say that the Wildcats have revenge on their minds.

Paloma Valley is 30-6 overall, having won six straight matches dating back to Oct. 14. They recently repeated as Ivy League champions with an 8-0 record. Ontario Christian has a 32-3 record overall and also has won six consecutive matches. The Knights finished 14-0 in league play.

In addition to having most of his players back from last season, Wildcats coach Stephen Kaas knows his team has added a top-level player in senior outside hitter Lizzy Markovska, who joined the team in midseason after transferring from Heritage. But Kaas says the difference between the 2018 Wildcats and this year's team is more than just Markovska.

"The biggest difference is, they believe they can go do it," Kaas said after the team's semifinal win over Pasadena Poly, referring to the players' confidence level. "They wanted that CIF finals match-up back, and they knew they only way they could do it is to win this one and get that opportunity.

"We’re better everywhere. Sure, Liz is great, but they [the Knights] know Liz is great and they’re going to be ready for her. What we have to do is be great everywhere else, too. They’re pretty mature and they know how to do this. This match-up is what the girls wanted, and it's going to be fun."

Senior outside hitter Gabby Hollins (above right) leads the Wildcat with 347 kills, followed by Jayde Shelton with 267. Markovska has 215. Shelton leads the team with 103 total blocks and junior Gwen Poulson leads the squad with 290 digs.

Ontario Christian's attackers are led by Payton Tazelaar (347 kills) and Jenna Holmes (324).