Ensign rallies to get taste of championship

CORONA DEL MAR — When the Ensign seventh-grade girls’ volleyball team dropped the second game of its Coastal Athletic League playoff championship, forcing a decisive third game, thoughts went to the post-match cupcake selection.

Excited to get to the tasty treats afterward, Ensign relaxed and quickly disposed of Sowers, starting the final game 7-0 on its way to a 25-18, 16-25, 15-6 victory Friday at Harbor Day School.

Allison Schelin had a team high six kills while Cinnamon Sary had three aces for Ensign, which was coached by Kari Rush.

Sowers beat Ensign in two games in the second match of the season.

“I think we wanted it more than last time,” Schelin said. “We wanted to get them back.”

After the celebration, players quickly called what cupcakes they wanted. Sary savored a red velvet cupcake as she recalled the match.

“It feels really good,” Sary said of winning. “It was awesome. I was excited when we won.”

Kasey Thompson, who had four kills, said the team was only rattled for a short period after Sowers came back to win the second game.

“We were a little bit nervous, but everybody got focused,” said Thompson who had two kills in the third game.

Presley Pender, who had three kills and an ace, said the team was vastly improved since its first meeting with Sowers.

Tatum Norton, who had a kill and an ace, said Ensign was confident it would win.

“We had a lot of spirit,” said Norton, as she enjoyed a strawberry cupcake. “We just knew we could win. It felt great.”

Alexandra Holbrook had three kills and said the players motivated each other before the match.

“We were just trying to get pumped up. We were shaking each other,” Holbrook said. “Everybody wanted to win. It was crazy. It was really awesome.”

Maddy McLaren said it was tense until the end.

“I was pretty nervous until we all started jumping around in the middle,” said McLaren, who had a kill. “I think we played our hearts out.”

Cece Beck added: “We played the best we have ever played. Everyone was confident in themselves.”

Kaili Brande agreed: “We played our best match of the season. I was worried but I knew we improved.”

Shannay Fisher, one kill, Courtney McIntosh, one ace, Holly Patrick, one kill, Josie Jogiwe, one kill, and Miranda McFarland contributed to Ensign’s championship.