Photo by Jason Redmond

Oak Park's Stephen Thompson (15) hits the ball over the net as Phillip Boskovich, left, and Daniel Schoch of Oaks Christian attempt to block during the second game of their CIF-Southern Section Division IV boys' volleyball final at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday afternoon.

Photo by Jason Redmond

Oaks Christian volleyball players celebrate winning the CIF-Southern Section title.

CARSON — Even though they had lost two matches to archrival Oak Park High during the league season, members of the Oaks Christian School boys' volleyball team figured they had an edge for their tri-match on the biggest stage of all.

"We had been here before," said senior setter Paul Peterson. "They beat us twice in league and won the league championship, and deservingly so. But we had won three CIF championships. We knew what it was like to play for a championship. We still looked at ourselves as the team to beat."

The championship mind-set took Oaks Christian to the summit once again.

Shrugging off the loss in Game 1, prevailing in a wild Game 3 that included monumental rallies by both sides, Oaks Christian took down Oak Park in four games, 23-25, 25-20, 27-25, 25-23, in the CIF-Southern Section Division IV championship match at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday.

For the Lions, it marked their fourth successive division title, including two over Oak Park. At match's end, after team members had received their first-place medals, they also had a Hawaiian lei composed of candy placed around their necks by team supporters.

"I don't know why," senior outside hitter Dominic Denham said with a grin.

Well, maybe because the victory was so sweet.

"It's crazy for any program to win four championships in a row," said Peterson. "A lot of us have played together for a long time. It's really special to go out as champions."

Blake Fol happily agreed.

"We still thought we were the best team, even though they beat us twice in the regular season," said the senior opposite. "They (the Eagles) are a very good team. But we thought we would win if we got to the championship."

Oaks Christian (22-4) entered the match as the distinct underdog, seeded No. 2 behind No. 1 Oak Park (23-5). The Eagles had won both matches in the Tri-Valley League, once in four games and another in five games.

The Lions' balance, and championship-match experience, proved decisive.

Fol collected 21 kills and 12 digs, Dalton Gerlach had 13 kills and 12 digs, Alani Fua notched eight kills and six block and Peterson finished with 54 assists.

Phillip Boskovich and Denham each added six kills.

That was enough to offset the production by Oak Park's big trio of seniors.

Jared Furlong finished with 22 kills and two blocks, Stephen Thompson had 17 kills and five blocks and Quinn had 48 assists, two kills and two blocks.

The Eagles admitted this was a defeat that stings.

"It's the toughest loss I've ever experienced," said Quinn. "We worked so hard to get to this match. It was one we wanted so much. I feel like we could have and should have won. They (the Lions) are a very good team, but it also takes some luck to win. They had balls go their way today.

"I know this is something I will never forget."

Said Thompson: "We feel like we had a great season and this doesn't take all that away. It was great to beat them twice during the season and win the league, but I'd definitely trade that for a championship ring."

Close throughout, the match ultimately swung in Game 3.

"That was the turning point," said Oak Park coach Patrick Quinn. "If we win that, we know we're definitely going five games. If we win that, we put all the pressure on them for Game 4."

With the match tied at one game apiece, Oaks Christian pushed out to an 18-13 advantage in the third game.

What followed were two key turnarounds.

Oak Park, with Furlong recording four kills, went on a 7-1 run to take a 20-19 lead. Then, with the game deadlocked at 21-21, the Eagles tallied the next three points to move within one point of a two-games-to-one lead.

It never happened.

Fol notched three successive kills to give the Lions a 25-24 lead. Fua and Denham combined for a block to produce the game-winner.

With the momentum swung, Oaks Christian stormed out to a 20-13 lead in Game 4.

The Eagles tried for one last comeback, staving off two set points and trimming the deficit to 24-23 on a Thompson block.

But Denham followed with the kill that earned the Lions championship No. 4.

"I just wanted my seniors to go out on top," said Oaks Christian coach George Hees. "We always seem to be loose in the championship match. Sometimes it scares me, but I know my players are never going to be tight.

"I got to think that gives us an edge."