Four Inland girls volleyball teams will play for CIF Southern Section championships Saturday afternoon or evening.
Two of those teams are Ambassador League representatives Ontario Christian and Arrowhead Christian Academy, adding to the league’s recent championship match history. Since the 2014 season, the Ambassador League has produced 13 section finalists.
That makes the Ambassador League the mid-major powerhouse when it comes to CIF Southern Section girls volleyball
“I’d like to say it’s because we have quality coaches in this league that have been around for a while and put the time and effort to make their programs successful,” Ontario Christian coach Paige Liebhart said. “The players see what we’re trying to accomplish and they have no problem buying in. And with so many quality teams in the league, that competition prepares you for playoffs.”
Ontario Christian shared the Ambassador League championship with Linfield Christian this season. The Knights (13-8) have won 11 consecutive matches and will square off against Chadwick (22-18) in the Division 3 title match at Cerritos College at 3 p.m.
This marks the program’s first trip to the finals since winning back-to-back section and state championships in 2018 and 2019.
Ontario Christian has demonstrated exceptional defensive prowess this season, led by senior libero and co-captain Avery Kunkel. The Knights are led on offense by senior setter and co-captain Avery Van Horssen and junior opposite hitter Addison Culbert.
“I’m very excited for these players to have this opportunity,” Liebhart said. “I’m proud of these players. They’ve proven that we can fight, play as a team and stay disciplined. We haven’t been looking too far ahead. It really has just been one match at a time.”
Arrowhead Christian (18-11) finished fourth in the Ambassador League, but the Eagles have hit their stride in the postseason and host Wiseburn-Da Vinci (20-15) in the Division 6 championship match at 6 p.m. This marks the program’s second trip to the finals under coach Brittney Amey. Arrowhead Christian claimed the Division 6 title in 2022, which was Amey’s second season in charge.
The Eagles are led by sisters Eva In’t Hout (outside hitter) and Sofia In’t Hout (setter-opposite) and Haven Perrenoud (setter).
West Valley (15-18) tied for second in the Mountain Pass League, and the Mustangs have advanced to the section finals for the first time in program history. West Valley makes the long trip to Carpinteria to play Cate (11-6) in the Division 7 final at 4 p.m.
The Mustangs are led by Kamryn Hubbell (outside hitter), Deonys Ioane (setter-opposite) and Sheiann Rosales (libero).
“This is a great group of girls that I am so excited to take up there and go to battle with for a CIF Southern Section title,” coach Shaun Pulsipher said. “We knew we had this kind of run in us and we’ll be ready to give it our best shot on Saturday.”
Moreno Valley (12-17) finished second in the Inland Valley League, but the Vikings have won seven straight matches and have reached the finals for the second time in three seasons. Moreno Valley won the Division 9 title in 2023 and will look for another when they travel to Anaheim (17-15) for the Division 10 championship match at 6 p.m.
The Vikings are led by Ava White (setter-opposite), Kennadye Jenkins (setter-opposite) and Serenity Khongkham (libero), all of whom were on the 2023 championship team.
