Eastlake girls volleyball elevates effort to earn thrilling pool-play wins at Nike Tournament of Champions

MESA, Ariz. – For a group that struggled during the first month of the season with being able to respond well in pressure situations, the Chula Vista Eastlake girls volleyball team continued its recent string of clutch performances Friday during National Division pool play at the Nike Tournament of Champions at the Arizona Athletic Grounds at Legacy Sports Complex.

On a day when elite national programs Mater Dei and Marymount, as well as Cornerstone Christian from Texas, all swept their pool-play contests with little drama or resistance, Eastlake outlasted a pair of Arizona programs with thrilling three-set victories to secure a runner-up finish in its group.

Ivanna Rivera Vargas, a Stanford beach volleyball commit and Mexican national team member, helped the Titans overcome five set points in the opener against Salpointe Catholic, before producing a 29-27, 17-25, 15-11 triumph to conclude pool play by placing second and assuring Eastlake (13-5) a spot Saturday among the top 16 schools.

Ivanna Rivera Vargas interview

Ariel Chime, a Vanderbilt-bound middle blocker, along with libero Leila Reynante, plus setters Kenidee Wax and Noelle Barcas were also instrumental in Eastlake opening its schedule Friday with a 25-17, 23-25, 17-15 victory against Notre Dame Prep.

Eastlake is secured a spot in the top 16 in the National Division after finishing 30th out of 32 teams last year

Eastlake arrived in Arizona after achieving a five-set victory Wednesday against Scripps Ranch, helping the Titans build momentum and confidence ahead of the tournament after suffering tough losses in deciding sets in September against both Westview and Sage Creek.

Although Eastlake endured a 25-13, 25-14 pool-play setback Friday against Cornerstone Christian, the experience could serve the Titans well entering Saturday’s showdown against Scottsdale Horizon, with the winner advancing to the Platinum Bracket and the loser competing in the Gold Bracket.

Eastlake finished sixth last year in the Bronze Bracket, or 30th overall out of 32 teams in the National Division, with the Titans’ performance Friday among the most significant turnarounds in the entire event.

Mater Dei (26-3), which is seeking its first Platinum Bracket title at Nike Tournament of Champions since 2017, extended its winning streak to 15 in a row by knocking off Arizona programs Mica Mountain and Hamilton, as well as La Cueva High from New Mexico.

Marymount (25-4), which is looking to add to its record with a fourth Platinum Bracket championship Saturday, defeated Arizona schools Centennial and Perry, along with a victory against DuPont Manual from Kentucky.

Mater Dei faces DuPont Manual, with Marymount squaring off against Hamilton in their opening matches Saturday, with the programs positioned to be the top two seeds on opposite sides of the Platinum Bracket and headed toward a potential rematch in the final following their spectacular three-set showdown Sept. 21 to decide the Durango Fall Classic championship in Las Vegas.

Mater Dei is looking to become the first program since Marymount in 2021 to win both the Durango Fall Classic and Nike Tournament of Champions titles in the same year.

Santa Margarita (16-8) started well Friday with a 25-18, 23-25, 15-10 win against Tampa Prep from Florida, but the Eagles were swept in their next two contests against Arizona programs Liberty and Casteel, and will compete Saturday in either the Silver Bracket or Bronze Bracket, along with fellow California schools Vista Murrieta, Sacred Heart Prep and The Bishop’s School of La Jolla.

James Logan and Ontario Christian both won their respective pools in the Premier Division and will both face Arizona schools Saturday, looking to qualify for the Platinum Bracket and an opportunity to compete for the title.

James Logan (23-1) has won 20 in a row entering its match against Basha High, with Ontario Christian (25-5) extending its streak to 10 consecutive victories ahead of its clash against Mountain Ridge.