PHOTOS: First CIF title eludes top-seeded Saddleback as Monrovia captures win

Saddleback players, coaches and administrators received the runner-up trophy Saturday. (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

Saddleback High School’s boys volleyball team was unable to slow down a fired up Monrovia team in the fourth set and came up short Saturday morning in its bid for a first CIF title in the Division 6 championship match at Long Beach City College.

It marked the first CIF crown for Monrovia, which began its boys volleyball program four years ago.

Top-seeded Saddleback rallied from a six-point deficit to win the first set 25-23, much to the delight of a large contingent of Roadrunner fans, including supportive students, who made the trip to Long Beach. Second-seeded Monrovia then took the next three sets 25-19, 25-21, 25-19.

To see the slide show, click on the first picture:

Saddleback players get ready to take the floor at LBCC.

Monrovia players celebrate the final point Saturday.

Saddleback's Osbaldo Julian is comforted by teammate Logan Nguyen. No. 11 is Rafael Rosales.

Monrovia players and coaches celebrate after winning the CIF title.

Saddleback senior Axel Gallegos is supported by Principal Edward Bustamonte (right) and Athletic Director Rob Thompson.

Saddleback junior Lisati Vaiala serves the ball.

Saddleback's Donovan Castellanos (No. 12) tries to get a point over Tyler Ford (No. 6) and Dylen Hert of Monrovia.

Monrovia's Tyler Ford defends against Saddleback's Jonathan Argueta.

Logan Nguyen of Saddleback goes up for a shot as Cody Wu (left) and Tyler Ford of Magnolia defend.

Lisati Vaiala of Saddleback tips the ball over the net.

Monrovia players, including Zach Smith (No. 15) and Cunnar Keeling (No. 30) talk.

Saddleback Coach Jose Medina looks on during Saturday's match.

Saddleback fans root on the Roadrunners from the upper deck.

Saddleback players break the huddle after a timeout.

Monrovia's Zach Smith holds up the championship trophy.

Monrovia's Dylan Polanco returns the ball.

Saddleback fans root on the Roadrunners.

Saddleback Coach Jose Medina talks to his players during a timeout.

Lisati Vaiala of Saddleback taps the ball over the net.

Monrovia fans cheer on the Wildcats Saturday.

Saddleback players Lisati Vaiala (left) and Oscar Castillo try to block a shot by Monrovia's Garrett Berger.

Saddleback players No. 7 Axel Gallegos, Donavan Castellanos (No. 2) and Lisati Vaiala (No. 10) celebrate a point.

Donovan Castellanos gets ready to serve for Saddleback.

Saddleback fans including football coach Glenn Campbell (green shirt) support the Roadrunners.

Saddleback (21-3) had an 11-4 lead in the fourth set and appeared on its way to sending the match to a fifth and deciding set before Monrovia rallied and closed out the match. The Roadunners also had an 11-8 lead in third set before the Wildcats battled back to take the lead.

“We tried to keep up, we did the best that we could,” said Saddleback Coach Jose Medina. “In the third and fourth sets, we were up and then they got the momentum and came back and took those sets.”

‘We started off OK, but then we picked it up but it didn’t come out as we expected,” added one of the Rodrunners’ top players, outside hitter Lisati Vaiala, a junior. “It was good, I liked the experience but I didn’t like how it ended.”

Monrovia (26-6) got a strong effort from junior outside hitter Zach Smith, who had some key kills in the third and fourth sets. Sophomore outside hitter Cody Wu had a kill in the fourth set to put the Wildcats ahead 23-18, setting up the victory and a big step up for the program.

“Volleyball didn’t exist at Monrovia before 2019,” said Coach Marvin Fong. “We had two really tough COVID years and the team almost fell apart last year. We almost didn’t have enough players to even field a team, and now this.

“This means so much to us, just all these students and these kids and seniors especially coming out of two very challenging COVID years to be rewarded like this and go out as winners, I’m so happy and proud of them.”

Fong was also pleased with the play of Smith, senior setter Dylen Hert (who has been with the team for four years), Wu, outside hitter Sonny Slater and libero Miles Wilson.

Medina, the Saddleback coach, said he was pleased with the play of Jonathan Argueta, Donovan Castellanos and Oscar Castillo.

Since Saddleback has only two seniors on the team, the experience of being in a final could be benefical down the road for the team.

“It should be pretty fun, we do have a lot of returners coming up, we’re just losing two seniors, so it’s just a matter of us practicing and finding the younger guys coming up to varsity,” Medina said.

Medina indicated his pride in how the players responded this season.

“It felt really exciting, even before the season started I kind of knew the potential the guys had and knew we would be able to make playoffs again but never thought we would make it to finals so actually getting to finals is pretty rewarding,” he said.

Both teams are headed to the CIF Regional tournament Tuesday.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com