PHOTOS: Crean Lutheran captures title at inaugural CIF Division 2 beach volleyball finals

Crean Lutheran players and coaches celebrate after winning the CIF Division 2 Beach Volleyball title Saturday. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs / John Luciano).

Crean Lutheran High School’s girls beach volleyball team capped a perfect post-season Saturday by winning the inaugural CIF Beach Volleyball Division 2 Championships at Long Beach City College.

The fourth-seeded Saints opened the day by defeating top-seeded Oaks Christian 3-2 in the semifinals. Then Crean Lutheran defeated third-seeded Capistrano Valley Christian 3-2 in the championship match and celebrated on the court at LBCC.

The Saints celebrate after winning the CIF title.

Tate Neuhoff of Crean Lutheran makes a play.

The Saints Makenzie Dews extends for a return.

Kylie Sarton is ready at the net as the Saints Leah Wooden gets ready to serve.

Madi Moore of Crean Lutheran defends at the net.

Leah Wooden gets ready to serve.

Capo Valley Christian returns a shot.

Erika McCoy of Crean Lutheran returns a shot as Athletic Director Eric Olson looks on.

CVC players gather after the match.

Leah Wooden delivers the final point for Crean Lutheran.
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs / Howard Lyon

Crean Lutheran players celebrate after winning the title.

“Such an amazing day,” said Coach Karlee Riggs Saturday night. “Really surreal. We all still feel like we haven’t woken up from our dream yet.

“We solidified our first win on court five with pair Leah Wooden and Kylie Sarton in the third set 15-13 then we took the second win at pair one, Madison Moore and Erika McCoy won in the third set 15-13, at that point we were tied with Capo Valley 2-2, it all came down to our 3’s pair Mia Rogers and Abby Theis.”

CVC held a 13-12 lead.

“Abby set Mia a great set and Mia put the ball away to tie it at 13-13,” Riggs said. “Abby Theis went back to serve, they rallied back and forth, and we ended up earning the point 14-13 for game point serve.

“Abby Theis went back to serve and all I remember hearing was Abby talking to Mia up at the net, ‘Mia we’ve got this, I believe in you, keep talking to me,’ and with that serve Abby aces Capo Valley Christian and the Saints take the win.”

Riggs said the team was determined to win the title.

“This team has continued to impress their coaches, their supporters, their school and have made Crean Lutheran so proud,” she said. “This team has wanted this so badly, I have never seen a group of young ladies want something more than this title. We have had confidence this year and we have been humbled this year.

“We have lost and we have won. But nothing compares to the feeling of being in that moment of ultimate success, when all your hard work has been worth it. When everything slows down just for that second. Success. These young ladies have earned every single second of this moment.” 

In the Division 1 final, Mira Costa defeated Redondo Union 5-0. Mira Costa advanced by defeating Mater Dei 5-0 and Redondo Union moved on by defeating JSerra 3-2 in the semifinals.