Mater Dei boys volleyball team wins first Division 2 Southern California Regional title since 2009, will play in inaugural CIF state final

SANTA ANA – Mater Dei made history in 2009 by capturing the inaugural Division 2 title in the Southern California Regional boys volleyball tournament.

The top-seeded Monarchs not only ended their 16-year regional championship drought Saturday against No. 2 Francis Parker, but also created another historic opportunity by advancing to the first Division 2 state final.

Sophomore Jeremiah Potasi had a match-high 23 kills in only 32 attempts and contributed seven digs to lead host Mater Dei to a 25-12, 26-24, 19-25, 27-25 victory against the Lancers at Meruelo Athletic Center.

The Monarchs (30-12-2) advanced to compete May 30 against Northern California representative Buchanan (30-16) – a 25-16, 27-29, 25-18, 25-19 winner Saturday over Loomis Del Oro – at 5 p.m. at Fresno City College.

Mater Dei is the only Southern California program to win a regional crown in the first year and have an opportunity to capture a state championship in its first season of existence.

Mater Dei boys volleyball team is seeking the inaugural Division 2 state title | Photo courtesy of Mater Dei

Archbishop Mitty (40-2) is the only Northern California school with similar potential when it faces Mira Costa (36-2) on May 31 in the inaugural Division 1 state final at Fresno City College.

Francis Parker (25-13) was making its first appearance in a Division 2 regional final after winning Division 3 regional championships in 2013 and 2022.

The Lancers suffered their first setback in a regional final since falling in the Division 3 championship match in 2011 against Laguna Beach.

Francis Parker suffered its first loss in a Southern California Regional boys volleyball final since 2011 | Photo courtesy of Francis Parker

Mater Dei, which received 48 assists, two kills and five digs from junior setter Jake Newman, completed a sweep of three San Diego Section opponents in a five-day span to advance to the Division 2 state championship.

The Monarchs opened the regional playoffs with a four-set quarterfinal victory against St. Augustine, followed by a sweep Thursday in the semifinals over Classical Academy.

Ben Smith added 11 kills and eight digs, with Jack Jadon contributing 10 kills and six digs Saturday for Mater Dei, which extended its winning streak to seven in a row, including a CIF-Southern Section Division 2 crown May 16 with a four-set victory against Peninsula at Meruelo Athletic Center.

Dylan Gallagher had seven kills and four blocks, Cameron Massoudi produced three kills and four blocks, with libero Beck Schobel collecting seven digs and three aces against Francis Parker for Mater Dei, which won its first Division 2 regional title in 2009 with a 25-18, 25-22, 25-18 victory against Norco.

Miles Custer led the Lancers with 18 kills and 11 digs, Kevin O’Brien added 10 kills and four blocks, Mike Smith contributed 22 assists, six kills, six digs and four blocks, with Adam Fox producing 21 assists, three kills and three digs.