Torrey Pines girls volleyball team takes down rival Cathedral Catholic in Texas to capture Gold Division title at Volleypalooza

Torrey Pines already knew it would have at least one chance to square off against rival Cathedral Catholic during the regular season.

The Falcons likely anticipated another showdown with the reigning CIF Open Division state champion Dons in the CIF-San Diego Section Open Division playoffs.

But Torrey Pines received a pleasant surprise Saturday at Volleypalooza when a matchup materialized in the Gold Division final and the Falcons took full advantage of the opportunity by rallying for a 20-25, 26-24, 25-21 victory against Cathedral Catholic Rouse High in Leander, Texas.

Torrey Pines (10-1) snapped a nine-match losing streak against Cathedral Catholic (8-1), securing the first victory against the Dons since a 25-19, 25-23, 26-24 triumph in the 2019 San Diego Section Open Division final on the way to the Falcons capturing the Open Division state title.

Torrey PInes girls volleyball coach Brennan Dean holds up the Gold Division championship trophy after the Falcons rallied past rival Cathedral Catholic in the final at Volleypalooza in Texas | Photo courtesy of Torrey Pines

Cathedral Catholic has since won four consecutive San Diego Section Open Division championships, defeating Torrey Pines the past three years in the final.

But the Falcons relied on eight kills Saturday in the championship match from Penn State-bound outside hitter and tournament MVP Finley Krystkowiak to overcome a 23-21 deficit in the second set and outlast the Dons.

Dylan Kupiec, a sophomore middle blocker, produced a pair of blocks to help Torrey Pines tie the score at 23-23, and the Falcons fed off the momentum to even the match.

Although Torrey Pines scored the first five points in the deciding set, Cathedral Catholic rallied to take a brief 14-13 lead, before Krystkowiak helped the Falcons regain the advantage, one they wouldn’t relinquish the rest of the way.

Parker Herrin, a sophomore, contributed five kills in the final for Torrey Pines, which had junior Emery Gonzales selected as the tournament’s best setter and junior Lila Green recognized as the best defensive player.

Jaycee Mack, a junior, secured all-tournament honors for the Falcons.

Madyson McCarthy was named the tournament’s top hitter for Cathedral Catholic, with fellow senior Allison Dzieciuch recognized as best blocker.

Kensley Hennessy, a senior, along with junior Olivia Greenwood and freshman Baylee Wilson were all chosen as all-tournament selections for the Dons at the conclusion of the three-day, 68-team showcase.

Torrey Pines didn’t drop a set before the final, achieving a 25-12, 25-19 quarterfinal triumph Saturday against Lake Travis, before holding off Highland Park with a 25-15, 32-30 semifinal victory.

Stella Delgadillo, left, and Finley Krystkowiak of Torrey Pines raise the Gold Division championship trophy after defeating rival Cathedral Catholic in the final at Volleypalooza in Texas | Photo courtesy of Torrey Pines

The Falcons rebounded from a five-set loss Aug. 22 against Mira Costa to win nine consecutive matches in Texas.

Cathedral Catholic, which opened the season at Volleypalooza, dropped one set Friday in pool-play competition against Eagle Mountain, but the Dons earned a 25-22, 25-20 quarterfinal win against Allen, then prevailed by a 25-23, 25-20 margin against Plano East in the semifinals.

Torrey Pines joined Mater Dei, which triumphed in Texas in 2021 and 2023, as the only California programs to win the Gold Division title at Volleypalooza.

The Falcons are scheduled to play host Sept. 10 to Cathedral Catholic, with both programs also entered Sept. 19-20 at the Durango Fall Classic in Las Vegas.