State High School Volleyball : Parker Sweeps to Division III Title

Francis Parker became the first San Diego high school to win a state volleyball title when the Lancers defeated San Jose’s Valley Christian, 15-7, 15-4, 15-3, Saturday in a match played at Cal State Fullerton.

Tracy Hughes, a 5-foot 9-inch middle blocker, had 24 kills as the Warriors, state runners-up in 1983, swept to the Division III title.

“It’s what I’ve been working on for four years,” said Hughes, the tournament’s most valuable player, who was a back-row substitute when Francis Parker made its only other state championship appearance.

“We were here four years ago and lost. We redeemed ourselves today,” Parker Coach John Cook said. “We’ve been thinking for four years that this would be our chance.”

Hughes, the only member of the Francis Parker starting lineup taller than 5-foot 6-inches, had 49 of her team’s 76 spikes and a hitting percentage of 37.

Valley Christian, frustrated by the Parker’s scrambling defense, connected on 9 of 55 spikers.

Mary Beth McNitt had 10 digs, Lauren Keyser 9 and Theresa Castagnola 8 to lead Parker’s defensive effort.

“We emphasize great team defense because we’ve only got one blocker,” Cook said. “We’ve been digging teams off the court all year long.”

Parker started three sophomores. The Warriors, Southern Coast League champions, finished with a 30-2 record.