High School Volleyball Playoffs : SOUTHERN SECTION 1-A DIVISION

Everything has come so easy for the L. A. Baptist girls’ volleyball team (19-0) this season that when it took the first 2 games in its semifinal match against Campbell Hall, few were surprised.

Campbell Hall did provide a surprise, however, winning the next 2 games before L. A. Baptist dominated the deciding game and won, 15-12, 15-3, 8-15, 9-15, 15-4, at Chaminade High.

It wasn’t until the Vikings, behind the inspired play of Crissy Mills and Abby Ackroyd, pushed the Knights to the fifth game that L. A. Baptist adjusted its defense.

“When we single-blocked on their quick-set, it turned the match around,” L. A. Baptist co-Coach Sue Newcomb said.

Senior hitter Sandy Null had 10 kills and 5 blocks for the Knights and teammate Michelle Christiansen had 11 kills and 4 blocks. Six L. A. Baptist players had 5 or more kills.

“We encouraged each other and got through it,” Christiansen said.

The Knights, who were pushed to 5 games for the first time this season, breezed through the first 3 playoff rounds without losing a game.