Valley Christian beats SHC for NorCal girls volleyball title

Behind the hitting of Ronika Stone and setting and serving of Tori Dilfer, host Valley Christian defeated defending Division 3 state girls volleyball champion Sacred Heart Cathedral on Tuesday night for the Northern California title.

Though it was a sweep, the Irish (30-9) definitely had their chances and actually seemed in control in the first two games, leading 15-7 in the first and 17-10 in the second.

Five straight service points by Dilfer, daughter of former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer, got the Warriors close in the second and from there Stone, daughter of former 49ers offensive lineman Ron Stone, took control.

Valley Christian, which won state in 2013, plays Olympian-Chula Vista in Saturday’s state championship in Orange County.

A fifth CCS squad, Notre Dame-Salinas (D5), had seven-time defending NorCal champion Branson-Ross down 2-0, but lost 24-26, 17-25, 25-15, 25-12, 15-9.

Branson (29-9), a four-time state champion, plays Upland Christian Academy-Rancho Cucamonga for the state crown.

The Monarchs play Village Christian-Sun Valley for the state crown.