State titles on the line for NDB, M-A

The wealth of Encore’s talent is so much richer though, as evidenced by the showing at Saturday’s state championship at Santiago Canyon College in Orange. Of the five Northern California champions, each roster boasts a player from Agresti’s Encore team — including libero Alexa Roumeliotis and defensive specialist Chloe Johnson of Menlo-Atherton in the Division I bracket.

Encore’s roster also included Archbishop Mitty middle blocker Candice Denny and libero Kate Formico; the Monarchs will play for the Division II state title against Village Christian-Sun Valley at 5:30 p.m.

Division V Northern California champion Branson-Ross — taking on Upland Christian Academy-Rancho Cucamonga at 10 a.m. — is run by Encore setter Amy Wentzel.

And this year’s Encore squad will add setter Tori Dilfer, a junior for Division III Nor Cal champion Valley Christian, playing in Saturday’s state finals against Olympian-Chula Vista at 3 p.m.

Notre Dame-Belmont (31-10) is vying for the Division IV title, taking on Southern California champion Laguna Blanca-Santa Barbara Saturday at 12:30 p.m. And judging by the fanfare the Tigers have enjoyed over the past week, their Nor Cal crown is an entirely different experience — though just as prestigious — as Encore’s bronze-medal finish at nationals.

“It’s a completely different experience, [high school] and the club experience, because ... the school spirit is a lot different,” Agresti said. “Fifty percent of the school showed up to [Tuesday’s Nor Cal championship] game.”

And with that turnout, the Notre Dame student body was merely getting warmed up. The entire school celebrated Friday morning with an official sendoff for the Tigers as they shipped out to Oakland International Airport to fly to John Wayne Airport, Orange County. The team boarded a shuttle to a fitting soundtrack — “Eye of the Tiger” — and enjoyed a police escort through Belmont.

The matchup with Laguna Blanca features a historic appearance for both programs. Notre Dame-Belmont’s appearance marks the first team in program history to advance to the state championships. Meanwhile, Laguna Blanca is the first team from Santa Barbara to ever appear in a state title game.

“I know they’re a typical L.A. team,” Agresti said. “Their defense and passing is really good. They just do everything well. ... Bottom line is you’re at the state finals. Everyone is going to be really good.”

The Laguna Blanca Owls (26-7) dropped just one set in three wins through the Southern California bracket. The top seed in the Division IV tourney, the Owls sealed the So Cal title Tuesday with a four-set win 25-11, 25-15, 16-25, 25-19 over No. 2-seed Desert-Edwards.

After Notre Dame — Nor Cal’s top seed — topped No. 2 Marin Catholic 25-12, 25-11, 24-26, 25-22 Tuesday at the final volleyball match of the season at Moore Pavilion, the Tigers were right back to regular practice regiment Wednesday, with an added incentive as coaches from Columbia University were on hand to scout Smoot.

In the Division I state title game, Menlo-Atherton (27-7) will take on Redondo Union-Redondo Beach at 8 p.m. Both teams had to win two road games to advance to Saturday’s postseason finale; M-A was the No. 3 seed in Nor Cal, while Redondo Union was the No. 5 seed in So Cal.

Redondo Union (35-4) is the reigning Division I state champion, after sweeping Pitman-Turlock in last year’s title match. In the 2014 Nor Cal championship match, Pitman defeated M-A in a five-set thriller.

The state finals can be viewed online via Time Warner Cable Sports Channel’s streaming web service at www.twcsportschannel.com.