Griffins closing in on league championship

Los Al is No. 10 in CIF-Southern Section Rankings

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Seniors Brooke Linkous, center, and Genesis Botts, pressure Fountain Valley sophomore Ila Robinson as she tries to direct the ball over the net. Photo by Ted Apodaca

The Los Alamitos High girls volleyball team played a match at Newport Harbor on Wednesday (past Sun press time) in which a win would all but clinch a Sunset League championship for the Griffins. One loss separates the Griffins (9-0) and the Sailors (7-1). A win by the Sailors makes a shared title a likely outcome.

The Griffins have been steady most of the season, compiling a 22-5 overall record. After back-to-back losses early in the season, the team re-assessed what they were doing and focused in on what they needed to do, according to Head Coach Dave Huber.

They proceeded to reel off 14 consecutive wins, including a 3-0 start in Sunset League play. Despite some key losses to graduation, the Griffins returned a solid core of veteran players and have enough talent to make serious noise in the playoffs. 

“Really, for us, it has been trying to find some consistent energy and intensity, and I think that’s what we’ve started the show, and that’s what I’m excited about,” Huber said after a 3-0 sweep of Fountain Valley on Thursday. 

Two key leaders have been seniors Libero Kaitlyn Herweg, a four-year starter and outside hitter Charlotte Hall, a three-year varsity player.  

The Griffins added a 3-0 set sweep of Edison on Monday to set up the showdown with Newport Harbor on Wednesday. The Griffins handed the Sailors their only league loss of the season on Sept. 8 with a 25-20, 25-22, 18-25, 25-18 victory at the Griffin Center. 

The Griffins are currently ranked 10th in the CIF-SS and will host Marina on Tuesday, at 5:45 p.m. for their final home match of the regular season. 

They close out the regular season on Oct. 13 at Corona del Mar.