SAN DIEGO – The Torrey Pines Falcons and Cathedral Catholic Dons went the distance Friday in the CIF San Diego Section Open Division volleyball championship, and it was Torrey Pines that came out on top in five sets (25-16, 25-19, 27-29, 14-25, 15-7). The No. 1 Falcons swept The Bishop’s School 3-0 (25-13, 26-24, 25-22) in the semifinal round, while No. 2 Cathedral Catholic earned their spot in the final with a 3-0 victory over Coronado High School (25-10, 25-7, 25-11)

The championship match brought together two of San Diego’s premier volleyball programs, both with extensive histories in the Open Division. Since the division was established in 2013, the Falcons and the Dons have met eight times in the championship game, with Torrey Pines holding a 5-3 advantage over the Dons after this year’s matchup.

Torrey Pines wasted little time establishing their dominance. The Falcons controlled the opening set, using strong defensive play and an effective attack to pull away for a convincing 25-16 victory. The set was sealed by a stuff block from sophomore pin hitter Isabella Brown.

The Falcons carried that momentum into the second set, continuing to put pressure on Cathedral Catholic. Torrey Pines secured the 25-19 victory, with senior middle blocker and Northwestern commit Stella Delgadillo delivering the final kill to put the Falcons one set away from the championship.

However, the Dons were not ready for their championship hopes to end.

Cathedral responded with a tightly contested third set that featured several momentum swings. With the score tied 20-20 following a Cathedral Catholic serving run, neither team could create separation. The teams continued trading points, eventually reaching a 27-27 tie. The Dons pulled ahead 28-27 before closing the set 29-27 following a back-row attack violation called against Torrey Pines, avoiding the sweep and extending the match.

Cathedral Catholic carried that momentum into the fourth set. The Dons came out firing and took control early, while Torrey Pines struggled to find their rhythm. Cathedral dominated the set, winning 25-14 and forcing a decisive fifth set.

With the championship on the line, the Falcons responded.

Torrey Pines came out and immediately found their groove, quickly establishing a lead and putting Cathedral Catholic on their heels. The Falcons maintained control throughout the final set, building a 10-5 advantage before continuing to pull away. With the championship within reach, junior middle blocker Dylan Kupiec delivered the finishing touch. The University of Tennessee commit put away an overpass kill to secure the 15-7 fifth-set victory and send the Falcons into celebration.

The win gave Torrey Pines their eighth CIF San Diego Section Open Division championship, adding another trophy to one of San Diego’s most successful volleyball programs.

Following the match, I caught up with senior libero, team captain, and University of Kansas commit Lila Green to discuss the championship victory.

Despite losing several important seniors and welcoming an entirely new coaching staff this season, Green credited the returning players and the trust established throughout the program for helping the Falcons maintain their championship standard.

“I for sure think that our seniors and the returners that came back this year really stepped up and showed up for us,” Green said. “Having a whole new group of coaches step in and become like our second family is something you don't get often. . . the trust that this school has in us, and the athletics program, and everyone has in us. . .it's just fun to play for this school.”

When asked about what finishing her senior season with a championship meant to her, Green simply responded, “Everything.”

“I think it just sums up all our hard work and all my teammates' hard work. It's super cool to see that all come out tonight. The energy and the love for each other was really there tonight,” she added.

Green also spoke about the high level of competition in San Diego volleyball, where so many athletes are preparing to continue their careers at the next level. Torrey Pines has nine Division I commits of their own.

“It's insane. It’s so fun to play in such a high-level area,” Green said. “. . .you go and your league game is like a national championship game. You only get better by playing those games. Those pressure moments are only moments that carry you further.”

After dropping two consecutive sets, the Falcons faced one final challenge before securing the championship. Green said the team’s approach heading into the fifth set was simple: leave it all out on the court.

“Just the energy and [knowing] we have nothing to lose. Put it all on the table, [and] empty the tank,” Green explained. “I think that really in that fifth set, you could see the love for each other. You could really see the trust in each other and how much we care about each other. . .”

Both Torrey Pines and Cathedral Catholic will continue their seasons in the California state tournament on Wednesday.

The No. 3 seed Torrey Pines Falcons will host the No. 6 seed Santa Margarita Catholic Eagles, while the No. 4 seed Cathedral Catholic Dons will host No. 5 Mira Costa Mustangs.