Fresno hurdles past San Diego Mesa to reach 3C2A women's volleyball final

N1 Fresno City (30-4) d. S2 San Diego Mesa (26-2), 3-1: 25-21, 17-25, 25-21, 25-22

WALNUT -- In a match that changed direction often after timeouts, state #1-ranked Fresno City College used a steady block defense and the leap hitting of Karina Rodriguez to overtake San Diego Mesa in four sets in the 3C2A Women's Volleyball Championship semifinals on Saturday afternoon.

The Rams won their 23rd straight match and advance to the state championship match on Sunday v. the winner of today's American River v. Feather River semifinal. Fresno is looking to win its second crown in the last four years after capturing the title in 2021. 

The Olympians lost for just the second time all season as they saw a 17-match win streak end as well. Mesa's loss means LA Pierce remains the last South team to win back-to-back titles (three in a row from 2010-2012) and also keeps the South Region from having a state finalist.

Rodriguez, a 5-foot-9 freshman outside hitter, ripped 17 kills (hit .286) in 42 attempts while FCC's block was paced by All-American setter Savanna FauntLeRoy, a tourney MVP candidate, after she made six blocks, set 34 assists, made 12 digs, and placed seven kills (.400). Reese Cuttone added six blocks and six kills while Jayla Iversen added two blocks and served three aces. 

Cuttone, a 6-1 middle blocker, and the 6-foot FauntLeroy in particular caused problems for the Mesa offense with their net block defense as the Olympians committed 31 attack errors.

"We knew blocking would be the critical key to winning going in," said Fresno head coach Kieran Roblee. "Mesa has a super-fast offense, and there were times where we blocked well, and other times when we didn't. Karina Rodriguez stepped up today. She was a high jumper in high school and she showed the type of dynamic hitter than she can be."

In a closely played first set that didn't even see a timeout until Fresno went ahead 20-18, the Rams' block disrupted Mesa into two attack errors and after a Phoebe Constable kill, a service error by the Olympians clinched a 4-point win and a 1-0 lead. 

Mesa completely dominated the second set, going up by as much as 20-10 and winning by eight points to tie the match at 1-1. Bella Town and Halen Kiefer combined for 12 kills in that set alone.

In the third, the Olympians continued to be on a roll up 6-0 when FCC called a timeout. The Rams roared back with a 7-0 run, including two dump kills by FauntLeroy only to see a Mesa timeout and the Olympians taking back some control eventually building a 17-11 advantage. 

Another Fresno timeout seemed to revitalize the Rams as they came out of winning eight of the next nine points with two block kills involving FauntLeroy, Cuttone and Iversen as well as the net block forcing three more Mesa attack errors. Rodriguez then went off as she used her leaping ability to offset Mesa's block and fire three consecutive kills. Ashlan VanGronigen floored match point.

For Mesa, Town scored 15 kills, giving her 30 in two state tourney matches, and Kiefer added 15 kills and 15 digs. Lia Go SoCo was a defensive star on 18 digs while Eva Luna was strong with seven kills, 13 digs and four blocks. Jaiden Mojica contributed 47 assists and two aces and Isabella Barrios scored eight kills (.353) and three blocks. 

"So proud of us this season and all the effort our ladies and whole coaching staff have put in," said Mesa head coach Bobbi Jo Stall-Vest. "We finished 26-2 and third in the state after a state title a year ago, so I cannot wait to see what we can accomplish next year."

Fresno got eight kills and 10 digs by VanGronigen and seven kills, three aces plus 12 digs by Constable.

Release by Robert Lewis, CCCWVCA/3C2A State Tournament SID