3 area teams ready for chance to make history in CIF-SS girls volleyball finals

A case of déjà vu? The Oaks Christian School girls volleyball team hopes not.

For Simi Valley High, its matchup in the Division 6 championship contest is more like Déjà New.

Then there's Nordhoff, which is seeking to end its Southern Section playoffs run with an exclamation point.

Oaks Christian, Simi Valley and Nordhoff have forged special girls volleyball seasons, and now they can make it a banner year — most literally. All have reached Southern Section finals on Saturday.

Oaks Christian, the No. 3 seed, will host top-seeded Alemany in Division 3 beginning at 6 p.m. Top-seeded Simi Valley is home vs. Arrowhead Christian, also at 6 p.m., in the Division 6 final.

Nordhoff, the No. 4 seed, will take on Pacifica Christian at Cerritos College in the Division 7 final. The match begins at 3 p.m.

Oaks Christian has been here before.

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Yes, for the second season in a row, the Lions are matched up against Alemany in a Southern Section final. At home for the second straight year, too.

But that's where Oaks Christian wants the similarities to end. The Lions lost to Alemany in five games in last season's Division 4 title game.

This time, the familiar rivals meet in the Division 3 championship match, and it's no secret that the Lions crave a different ending.

"It's really, really awesome to do this for the second straight year, and we love having a second opportunity to win it all," said Oaks Christian head coach Julie Bennett. "We're excited, but we fully expected to be here again. We brought back 11 players from last year's team and their goal is to win a championship."

Oaks Christian weighs into the championship match at a nifty 28-3, and the Marmonte League champion who never dropped a single set in league play. The Lions rallied from a two-set deficit in the second round vs. San Marcos, and powered their way to a 25-22, 25-18, 26-24 over No. 2 seed Chaminade in the semifinals.

"This is a confident, experienced group of players who are OK in battling through adversity," said Bennett. "They like a challenge."

Senior outside hitter Nicole Zake has piled up 325 kills, or 3.8 per set. Sophomore Manaia Ogbechie has racked up 205 kills and 104 blocks, setter Maggie Rhew has amassed 699 assists, and Hannah Brady is the defensive leader with 278 digs.

Alemany is a worthy No. 1. The Warriors are 24-6 and have slugged it out in the rugged Mission League. The star is Texas A&M-bound London Wijay.

The Lions have thrived by playing fast-break volleyball. Oaks Christian wants the tempo upbeat and computer-chip quick. Rhew's task is to orchestrate the attack from all angles

"We like to keep our opponents off balance," said Bennett. "We go fast and stay fast."

For Simi Valley, its matchup in the Division 6 championship contest represents a historic first.

Never before have the Pioneers played for a Southern Section championship. They have a chance to win the program's first CIF-SS title behind a group of players tighter than litter puppies.

"Most of these players have been together for a long time," said head coach Samantha Crane, who is stepping down at the end of the season after seven years. "They love each other; they care about and they play for the fun of it."

Crane doesn't expect heavy expectations as the division's top seed to bog down the players Saturday.

"They're focused, they're relaxed and they rely on each other," she said.

Simi Valley is more balanced than a set of racing tires.

Senior outside hitter Alesia Thomas, junior outside hitter Olivia Campisi, senior middle hitter Abigail Montana and senior setter Kezia Bocasan are among the major contributors.

Simi Valley has rolled through four postseason matches without dropping a set.

Crane has ingrained in her players an inspirational mantra from day one of practices.

"I've told them you only deserve what you earn," said the coach. "These players have bought in. They've worked hard for this opportunity."

Arrowhead Christian (21-6) is led by junior outside hitter Taylor Wilson, who has notched 159 kills.

Nordhoff will be playing in its third championship game under coach Rene Nakao-Mauch, while seeking its first CIF-SS title.

The Rangers were Southern Section runner-ups in 2018 and 2019.

Nordhoff is a glossy 18-2 and the Citrus Coast League champion. The Rangers demonstrated grit in winning back-to-back five-set matches in the playoffs.

The semifinal was a grueling 25-22, 18-25, 26-24, 21-25, 16-14 victory over Santa Fe.

"This group plays with so much intensity and such great chemistry," said the coach. "They bigger the challenge, the better they seem to like it. They don't back down from anything."

The deep, gifted roster includes senior outside hitter Maggie Caputo, senior middle hitter Ela Ruf and senior setter Skylar Rutherford.

Pacifica Christian (21-5) is led by sophomore hitter Chara Wondercheck.

Loren Ledin is the Prep Editor for The Star. He can be reached at loren.ledin@vcstar.com or 805-437-0285.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: 3 Ventura-area teams ready to make history in CIF-SS girls volleyball finals