The goal of any scholastic team is to be playing in the final game of the season when the title is on the line. Winning that contest is even better. The La Jolla Country Day (LJCD) girls volleyball team accomplished both tasks last weekend in the state title game in Irvine. Advancing to their first-ever state title game, the Lady Torreys left the UC Irvine Bren Events Center last Saturday with the state championship in hand, scoring a 25-19, 25-20, 25-17 victory over the Sacramento Christian Brothers team. Finishing an outstanding season with a record of 35-1, LJCD carried on the tradition of Southern California schools, claiming the region’s fifth title in six years of play against the north. “The team played strong all year and this was more of the same,” LJCD head coach Peter Ogle commented. “We have a good starting team, but the strength of our team is the ability to practice at a very high level. It is our reserves that push us every practice that kept us improving and sharp. It was just a tremendous team effort all season.” Lauren Birks and Chloe Mathis led the way for LJCD in the title game with 12 kills and 15 assists, respectively. Jessie Altman, Mollie Rogers and Gillian Howard also came through with big performances, as LJCD won in straight games. To reach last weekend’s championship, LJCD had to defeat neighborhood rival The Bishop’s School. LJCD defeated Bishops 3-1 (25-17, 18-25, 25-22, 25-15) last Tuesday to earn the right to meet Sacramento Christian Brothers for the championship. Rogers led LJCD with 15 kills, while Mathis and Altman teamed for 31 assists. Bishop’s reached the match-up with LJCD by topping Whittier Christian 25-19, 25-18, 25-14. Senior Thea Derrough paced the Lady Knights (30-8) with 14 kills, while junior Kristen Casey added 12. It was the final home contest for Bishop’s seniors Ina Kamenova, Hannah Saber, Savannah Smith, Stephanie Yetter and Derrough. In LJCD’s contest prior to meeting Bishop’s School, the Lady Torreys rolled to a 25-15, 25-16, 25-10 victory over Central Valley Christian. Cheyenne Giesecke recorded 10 digs for LJCD.