With seven of the top eight seeds advancing to Saturday’s quarterfinals of the Nike TOC Southwest tournament in the greater Phoenix area, you knew a climatic conclusion was coming. The way it played out left top-seeded Cornerstone Christian TX opposite of second-seeded Mira Costa CA in the championship match.

As the teams prepped for the third and final set, there were national rankings and national championship implications on the line. When Cornerstone Christian prevailed in three, 25-23, 26-28, 15-8, not only did the Warriors capture the coveted trophy but they kept themselves in the mix for vballrecruiter.com’s national championship race as well.

“It was such an amazing group of teams they put together,” Cornerstone coach Mike Carter said. “The level of play was unbelievable. The opportunity these high schools girls get to play kids from all over the country is amazing.”

*Cornerstone libero Alyssa Manitzas (3)*

Cornerstone came into the two-day event ranked No. 5 nationally, one spot behind No. 4 Mira Costa. The Warriors – a private school from San Antonio – only has a handful of matches left in its season and barring a massive, massive upset will finish in the Top 5 in our final rankings. While Cathedral Catholic CA and Westminster Christian FL have the inside track toward our national championship over Cornerstone, should either stumble in their remaining matches it opens the door for the Warriors, who pushed their record to 49-2 overall after topping Mira Costa.

One of Cornerstone’s losses came in early August to The Woodlands TX, the same team Cornerstone beat in the finals of that tournament to avenge the defeat. The other setback came against Westminster Christian in the finals of the Nike TOC Southeast in Tampa Bay in September. That’s another reason beating Mira Costa felt so good for the Warriors because it would’ve been hard to stomach another second-place showing and losing in three sets once more in a tournament championship.

“Our ball control was really good,” Carter said. “We are a large team and down the stretch we really controlled the net. Our setting was on point and we have some powerful hitters. I actually thought we got two blocks at the end of the second set that against anyone else would’ve ended the match but they picked them up and scored points and sent it to a third. I was glad to see our block made a difference at the end.”

*Cornerstone setter Taylor Anderson (5)*

Cornerstone was holding onto an 8-5 advantage midway through the final set when the Warriors recorded five consecutive blocks. Four came at the hands of senior setter Taylor Anderson – who hadn’t played across the front row very much at all during the tournament – and one from senior middle blocker Nayeli Gonzalez, whose offense overpowered Mira Costa at times.

“I think that was the best team we played all year,” Mira Costa coach Cam Green said. “They passed great and they have girls who absolutely bomb balls. To scrap and win the second set and put ourselves in a position to win the match was giant. That team was really, really good and well-coached. It could’ve gone either way but they had a couple big plays and stretched it out a little too far at the end.”

It was the first tournament action for the Mustangs since winning the Ann Kang Invitational in Hawaii back in August. There, Mira Costa lost to Sierra Canyon CA in pool play before beating the Trailblazers in a rematch in the final. This past weekend in Phoenix, Mira Costa avenged its only other loss of the year before facing Cornerstone when the Mustangs topped Mater Dei CA in the semifinals, 22-25, 25-18, 15-8. Mater Dei swept Mira Costa in the Mustangs’ first match after getting back from Hawaii, when the Mustangs had five players sitting out for disciplinary reasons. Additionally, Mira Costa played Saturday without its top outside hitter in senior Drew Wright, who was taking her SATs.

*Mira Costa setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24)*

Losing to Cornerstone – Mira Costa’s third loss of the year – all but eliminated the Mustangs from national championship contention. Had Mira Costa defeated Cornerstone and won out on the season – which would mean winning CIF-SS Div. 1 and CIF State Open Division titles – the Mustangs would have an argument, especially if they were able to beat No. 1 and undefeated Cathedral Catholic CA during the state playoffs.

“To say I’m incredibly proud of this group is an understatement,” Green said. “They show so much fight and grit and never lose their composure. It always feels like we have a chance and that’s pretty cool even without our No. 1 outside hitter. It was huge for us to beat Mater Dei without her. It’s the way we played all season.”

Mira Costa was the only team to take a set off of Cornerstone during the weekend. After sweeping pool play on Friday, Cornerstone took care of Faith Lutheran NV in morning qualifying Saturday before downing Horizon AZ in the quarters and Marymount CA in the semis. Mira Costa topped Queen Creek AZ in qualifying before outlasting Millennium AZ in three in the quarters.

“Every kid had a chance to play and contribute to earning a medal,” Carter said. “It’s a good feeling.”