Bishop Montgomery Still a Hit in Volleyball

Torrance Bishop Montgomery’s girls’ volleyball team won the Division III state championship last season, its second title in three years.

The team appears capable of repeating as champion based on its start this season.

Bishop Montgomery (9-2) lost only to Division I powers Newport Harbor and Simi Valley Royal in a tournament last month.

The defending champions will get another test this weekend when they travel to Encinitas to take part in the Torrey Pines tournament, which includes Manhattan Beach Mira Costa. Bishop Montgomery also will play in the Tournament of Champions Oct. 29-30 at Santa Barbara.

“We try to play the top-notch teams so we know where we are,� Bishop Montgomery Coach Kim Willeman said. “It’s a good gauge for us.�

Bishop Montgomery lost only two players from a team that finished 28-6 last season and defeated Forestville El Molino in five games in the state final. The defending champions are thriving with a combination of experience and youth.

Senior middle blocker Katie Olsovsky, who played on the U.S. junior national team last summer, is the 6-foot-3 centerpiece of a lineup that also features senior middle blocker Cerina Pele and junior outside hitter Chrissie Zartman. Senior setter Renne Vignery has been out because of a knee injury, but senior Lia Roehl has stepped in and played well.

So have freshmen Lauren Ervin, Nicole Read and Noelle Quinn.

“Last year, the team was able to take advantage of the fact that they were young and no one really expected them to do something,� Willeman said. “This year, the pressure on the seniors is greater. Everyone else is out to get us. It’s a little bit more stressful and sometimes the girls feel that.�

Unlike Southern Section divisions I, II, IV and V, which feature two divisions (A and AA) within divisions for state regional pairings purposes, all Division III teams are playing for one title.

Bishop Montgomery is expected to be challenged for the Southern Section and regional title by North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake, Corona del Mar, Fullerton Rosary, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame and La Canada.