The Culver City High School girls volleyball team spiked their way into the CIF history books last Friday.

They won the CIF Division 5 at Cerritos College, beating  La Reina 3-1.

It was the first CIF championship in girls volleyball at Culver City.

Now the Centaurs get ready to play Carson, from the Los Angeles City section, thus evening in the state regionals.

If Culver City defeats Carson, they will probably play the second round on Saturday.

At Cerritos College last Friday, the Centaurs were determined to make history.

“The first thing I want to do is credit La Reina for a fantastic season and a hard fought match,” said 33-year-old Coach Tanner Siegal.

“When we went up 2-0, La Reina really pressured us to play our best volleyball. It was really a challenge to stay focused on every point.”

The first-year coach tries to stay in the background.

He give the girls the credit. But winning the championship puts everyone involved in the program in the spot light.

“You have to give credit to the girls,” said Siegal.  “They made the plays at the right moment. Luckily we were able to come out with a big win.”

Although Siegal knew he had player talent, he did not realize how much he had inherited from former coach Joe Manzo. \

“We came into the season with high expectations,” he said. “We just had to grind it out every day.

“As coaches, we wanted to lead by example. Actually I did not believe in my wildest dreams that this was going to happen.”

Krista Hernandez was another who stuck with the process. Team captain and four-year volleyball player, she still was  holding the CIF trophy five hours after  the match.

“I am never going to let this trophy go,” said Hernandez with a big smile.

Hernandez never doubted her team.

“I had a lot of faith in my teammates.  We really worked hard. In those two- hour practices every day, we tried to do everything perfect.  We really wanted that championship ring.  It’s amazing being a senior and everything came together.”

Another senior, McKenna Stevens, said her mother told her at the beginning of the season that they were going to win the championship.  “I really did not believe it was going to happen until it r did,” she said. “I broke down and started crying.  This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com

Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com