GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: M-A Streaks to Paly Finale

The Score: M-A 3, North Salinas 0.

The Star: On a night when Menlo-Atherton High displayed firepower from all angles, Regina Mullen was the biggest weapon. The senior outside hitter blasted seven kills in the first game to kick off the Central Coast Section Division I semifinal rout at Watsonville High.

The Turning Point: M-A's 6-0 run to finish off a 25-15 opening-game win. Four players totaled five kills in that sequence as the Bears' deep and dynamic offense took control. That trend continued as M-A won to advance to the CCS Division I title match for the second straight year.

The Quote: "The atmosphere, the noise, the crowd kind of got to them. I think they were a little shell-shocked. I think the experience from last year will really benefit us this year." – M-A coach Jen Wilson, on the lessons her veteran-laden team should take from its defeat in the 2009 CCS Division I final heading into Saturday's championship.

What's Next? Third-seeded M-A takes aim at winning its first CCS title. The Bears meet 36-1 Palo Alto on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Independence High in San Jose. Top-seeded Palo Alto, the 2009 Division II runner-up, is also seeking its inaugural section crown. Something has to give.

The Bottom Line: M-A wasted no time in breezing past No. 2 seed North Salinas to reach the CCS Division I championship match for the second year in a row. The streaking Bears haven't been tested in the playoffs, but figure to have a whale of a challenge in facing No. 1 seed Palo Alto. After finishing second in the Peninsula Athletic League's Bay Division this year and last and also taking second-banana honors in CCS a year ago, M-A feels it is overdue for a coronation.

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WATSONVILLE -- Don't expect the bright lights to faze the Menlo-Atherton High girls volleyball team this time in the Central Coast Section finals. The battle-tested Bears are focused and intent on claiming their program's first section championship when they meet Palo Alto in the Division I title match on Saturday.

A year ago, M-A advanced to the CCS finale only to lose its footing early to fall in a sweep to Salinas.

On Thursday night, the third-seeded Bears punched their ticket to the 2010 championship by throttling No. 2 seed North Salinas 25-15, 25-16, 25-17 in a Division I semifinal at Watsonville High.

M-A coach Jen Wilson believes a team that returns four starters won't be intimidated by the big stage or its decorated opponent when the Bears meet top-seeded Palo Alto on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Independence High in San Jose.

"There's definitely more motivation," Wilson said of looking to atone for last year's quick exit in the title match. "The girls have been there. They know what it's like. Hopefully nerves won't be a factor."

Added outside hitter Regina Mullen: "It's different now because I'm a senior. I'm focused on getting really excited."

M-A (22-7) certainly brings plenty of momentum into the final. The Bears made sure they haven't been tested in their two CCS wins – never allowing San Benito or North Salinas to score more than 18 points in a game.

On Thursday, Mullen (team-high 16 kills) heated up at the outset, registering seven kills in the first game. Her teammates followed suit. Leading 19-15, M-A reeled off a 6-0 run to clinch the game – with four players registering at least one kill in that span.

The following games brought more of the same. The Bears' impressive firepower overwhelmed North Salinas (28-5), the Tri-County Athletic League champion. M-A trailed for a total of two points in the match – early in the first and third games.

Middle blockers Diane Seely and Seini Moimoi had seven kills apiece, outside hitter Katelyn Doherty added six and Ali Spindt had five. Moimoi's leaping ability in the middle gave North Salinas fits, and Sofi King and Spindt expertly spread the scoring opportunities around.

Now the Bears turn their attention to powerful Palo Alto and the supreme challenge they face in the Division I championship.

The M-A players were keen to watch the earlier semifinal, in which Palo Alto surprisingly struggled in a four-game battle with No. 5 seed Carlmont. The Bears know Palo Alto, anchored by 6-foot-5 middle blocker Melanie Wade, is unlikely to lose its rhythm in two straight matches.

"We're coming in as the underdogs. We've always been the underdogs this season," said Moimoi, referencing M-A's second consecutive runner-up finish to Burlingame in the Peninsula Athletic League's Bay Division. "Playing against a tall team, I think we're going to be challenged with their hitters, their blockers.

"But we're definitely ready. Definitely ready."

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Menlo-Atherton d. North Salinas 25-15, 25-16, 25-17

Kills:  M-A: Mullen 16, Seely 7, Moimoi 7, Doherty 6, Spindt 5.  Digs:  M-A: Doherty 9, King 8, Spindt 7.  Assists:  M-A: King 20, Spindt 18.

Records:  Menlo-Atherton 22-7.  North Salinas 28-5.