CIF CHAMPIONS: Esperanza celebrates third title and moves on to state tourney Tuesday

Esperanza brought home the school’s third CIF title in girls volleyball. (Photo courtesy Esperanza volleyball)

Esperanza High’s girls volleyball team gets to hang another CIF banner.

The Aztecs rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat Murrieta Valley in the CIF Division 2 finals Saturday at Cerritos College to bring home the third CIF title for the program and the first since 2005. Esperanza also won the title in 2003.

The scores were 22-25, 17-25, 25-21, 25-15, 15-7.

“I am so excited for the girls and Esperanza High School,” said Esperanza Coach Isaac Owens. “The volleyball program has had many years of success. This is the third CIF championships and fifth time time being in the finals.”

It took a big comeback for the Aztecs (29-7).

“The difference was we made a few rotations adjustments as a coaching staff and I think we calmed down,” Owens said.

“Elyse Stowell started playing well and her teammates started playing better as well,” Owens said. “Julia Waugh played really well as well. She had 22 kills and 23 digs.”

Stowell had 35 kills and 28 digs and Sydney Borrego had 22 digs.  Senior setter Madeline Harkey, a two-year starter, had 55 assists.

Esperanza advances to the CIF State Division I Tournament and will play at No. 1 Sierra Canyon on the road Tuesday night in the Southern California Regional opener.

“The runner-up from the D2 final Murrieta Valley is the number one seed in Division 2,” Owens said. “So that’s kind of a bummer for us. Overall great season for my girls. We were seeded 14th in the 32 team CIF bracket. I don’t know if ever there was a team seeded that low that won.”

Owens has coached at Esperanza for 17 years and coached the boys teams from 2002 to 2014, winning four CIF titles. He has led the two teams to the CIF finals eight times, winning seven.

“Very proud on my coaching staff as well,” Owens said.