Jackson Cryst helps Sage Hill secure first Division 3 boys volleyball state championship; Mater Dei Catholic captures Division 4 state crown

FRESNO – From a forgettable February to a remarkable run in May, Sage Hill experienced a range of emotions throughout the season, but there was plenty of euphoria Saturday for the Lightning following the inaugural CIF Division 3 boys volleyball state final.

Despite opening its schedule with five consecutive losses and enduring setbacks in six of its first seven matches, Sage Hill returned to championship form when it mattered most during the postseason, and the Lightning celebrated the biggest achievement in program history with a 25-19, 25-16, 25-23 victory against International School of San Francisco to secure the state title at Fresno City College.

Post-match interviews

Jackson Cryst, a 6-foot-10 senior outside hitter signed with Long Beach State, had a match-high 24 kills and six blocks for Sage Hill (22-11), which produced the second state championship in any sport in school history, along with the girls basketball program winning a Division 2 crown in 2022.

Sage Hill boys volleyball coach Jordan Hoppe raises the Division 3 state championship trophy to celebrate with his players | Erik Boal photo

Cryst had 10 kills in the opening set, helping the Lightning establish early momentum against International School of San Francisco, which was seeking its second state title for the school this year, including the Division 5 boys basketball crown in March.

The Jaguars (27-8) had won 17 in a row entering Saturday’s match, but were unable to sustain a consistent offensive attack against Sage Hill.

International School of San Francisco regrouped following the opening set to remain tied at 9-9 in the second, but Sage Hill responded with three consecutive points and scored nine of the next 11 to seize control.

Connor Gapp had seven kills, six digs, 24 assists and three blocks for Sage Hill, which also received 11 kills and five blocks from Ryan Manesh, as the Lightning were still able to score consistently even when Cryst rotated into the back row.

Petra Gapp, Connor’s sister, was a member of the Division 2 girls basketball state championship team in 2022 for the Lightning.

Sage Hill players and coaches celebrate winning the Division 3 boys volleyball state title, just the second state championship in any sport in school history | Photo by Erik Boal

The Jaguars had opportunities to extend the match, rallying to tie the score at 22-22 in the third, but Cryst responded with a kill and an ace to secure Sage Hill’s first match point.

Although Cryst missed the next serve, International School of San Francisco also served the ball out on the ensuing sideout, allowing the Lightning to capture the championship.

Jonathan Ye had 15 assists, Ethan McNutt added seven digs and Dylan Han contributed three kills and six digs for Sage Hill, which concluded the season with 12 consecutive victories, including a five-set triumph May 17 at Santa Barbara to win the CIF-Southern Section Division 4 title after securing the Division 5 crown last season.

The Lightning, who were unbeaten in their final four five-set contests, earned the Division 3 Southern California Regional crown following a May 24 sweep against Clairemont to advance to the inaugural state final.

Santino Scanlon had seven kills, Colton Klingebiel and Lyndon Song both recorded six kills apiece and Liam Wilson contributed four kills for the Jaguars, who hadn’t been swept since losing their first two matches of the season in February against Head-Royce and Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep.

Division 4 final

Mater Dei Catholic 3, Livingston 1: The Crusaders received 13 kills and 18 digs from Oskar Manguy-Meza and 10 kills by Derek Jacobo to produce a 25-18, 25-19, 20-25, 25-16 victory in the inaugural Division 4 boys volleyball state championship match at Fresno City College.

Mater Dei Catholic (33-10) won 10 in a row to conclude the season, including the CIF-San Diego Section Division 3 championship and the Division 4 Southern California Regional title.

Mater Dei Catholic won the inaugural Division 4 boys volleyball state title | Erik Boal photo

Adrian Trevino added eight kills, Aaron Wood contributed six kills, 33 assists and 11 digs, with Ethan Bundang collecting 20 digs for the Crusaders, the first San Diego program to win a boys volleyball state crown, with the other three division champions all representing the Southern Section.

Livingston (37-7) rebounded from a five-set loss May 10 to Ben Holt College Prep Academy in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 4 final by winning three Northern California Regional contests in order to advance to the state championship match.

Bradley Kaji led the Wolves with 13 kills and Navjot Sekhon contributed 11 kills, with Gurvir Singh producing nine kills and Udayveer Dhadda recording eight kills, as all four juniors are eligible to return next year for Livingston.