Villa Park girls volleyball captures first CIF-SS title with win over Lakewood

From ocregister.com

NORWALK — The Villa Park girls volleyball team came into the CIF Southern Section Division 6 final looking to make history in their championship game debut.

The Spartans did just that by beating Lakewood in four sets, 25-23, 30-32, 25-19, 25-17, to win their first CIF-SS title Friday night at Cerritos College.

Villa Park first-year coach Kennedy Cunningham gave an overview of her team’s rise to becoming champions.

“This is my first time with the team, so it feels great to know that they have worked hard,” Cunningham said. “They’ve really bought into new techniques, new coaching style. And these girls have put in a lot of work, a lot of effort. Our season started out rough, but we ended with a bang.”

Villa Park (17-12) was led by senior outside hitter Joy Aguilar, who finished with a match-high 33 kills and 17 digs. Senior setter Devyn Mitchell had 45 assists and 21 digs.

“It feels really surreal,” Mitchell said. “It’s been my dream ever since I started high school. I just wanted to have a really big title and have a really good team and have really high energy. And the last couple of years, I’ve just been yearning for that. And this year was such a turnaround for me and my volleyball career. And I’m so proud of my girls. I love them so much.”

Aguilar, who is best friends with Mitchell, believed that chemistry helped on the court.

“It’s just the connection that we have, again, I can’t describe it,” Aguilar sad. “Coming into Villa Park freshman year with her, being on varsity as freshmen, you know, we’re little, we’re scared. And then now we’re here as seniors. We’ve always looked up to this moment and CIF champions. It’s the biggest thing that we’ve ever experienced, and doing it together is just, it’s something I can’t explain.”

The Lancers (21-13) hadn’t dropped a set all postseason but Villa Park took a 13-9 lead in the first set, made it 20-15 and took the first game 25-23.

The Spartans appeared to be in position to go up 2-0 in the match but Lakewood fended off six set-point attempts by Villa Park and took the second set 32-30.

Cunningham was pleased with her team’s ability to regain control in the third set and ultimately the match.

Villa Park responded in the third set by jumping out to a 20-10 lead before winning 25-19.

Now Cunningham has her sights set on new goals.

“I’m only 22, and so being able to accomplish this at such a young age, just makes me hungrier for more,” she said. “Now I’m like, OK, I want state, I want everything else. And this is just the beginning. And that’s what feels so great, is that this is just the beginning.”

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