In an electrifying showdown for the CIF City Section Open Division title, the Taft girls volleyball team played with controlled abandon to defeat Venice 3-2 in a memorable battle. Facing a formidable Venice squad with only four losses and an unbeaten league record, Taft brought their best, showcasing why they were the top team in the Valley.

Head coach Arman Mercado, exuding a calm yet determined presence in his suit and tie, reflected on Taft’s strong foundation: “Fourteen of these girls played frosh/soph volleyball. So, they came up through the ranks and trusted their training. This is a really, really good group.” After falling short in recent city championship bids, Mercado was determined to seize victory.

A back-and-forth match began with Venice taking the first set 25-22, highlighting how tightly matched the two teams were. Venice’s outside hitters posed a significant challenge, but Taft had their own firepower and losing the set only seemed to make them more determined. 

Mercado’s calm presence showed no panic. He saw his girls play a terrific set. Venice was just a tick better. Senior Aleiah Carr’s powerful kills and senior setter Francine Balthazar-Shine’s precise feeds drove Taft’s attack as they took it to Venice the next two sets 25-17, 25-16. During this middle stretch, senior middle blocker Claudia Aber’s defensive prowess and Senior libero Gianella Tijamo’s relentless digs frustrated Venice’s attempts to score.

The Toreadors were playing to win, which meant nothing was going to be given to the Gondoliers – they would have to snatch victory back. Credit Venice, they turned up the intensity in the fourth set to bully their way back into the match 25-17 and force a decisive fifth set.  

Had the tide turned? Had Venice grabbed the momentum? You wouldn’t know it by Taft’s demeanor. And to start the fifth set, Mercado stripped off his suit coat and revealed a bright red jacket underneath. Clark Kent would have been proud. One had to appreciate Mercado’s gamesmanship, sending the message, I’m willing to take this to another level. Are you? 

The final set was one that won’t soon be forgotten. Venice took an early 4-3 lead. Both teams clawed for points against stiffened defenses that were not allowing runs on service. Venice still clung tightly to a lead at 8-7. Senior middle blocker Collete Ejang turned up her intensity all game long, starting a blocking party and making sure Taft remained within striking distance. 

Venice stormed up 12-9 but there was no fear in the Toreador girls. Venice was three points from victory but Taft played with a controlled abandon that was impressive to behold. Carr kept reaching back and striking the ball with a violence that had only turned up since the first set. 

Taft stormed back to pull within 13-12 when Venice junior outside hitter Gaia Adeseun-Williams  hit a brutal kill to pull the Gondoliers to match point at 14-12. Yet, there was no fear in Taft. Sophomore server Alexa Barajas was able to get them back to a 14-14 tie. Then, at 15 apiece, Balthazar-Shine who’d been setting up teammates beautifully all night long stood on the backline with a chance to win the championship. 

After winning a point to get to 16-15 Balthazar-Shine put the next serve deep into the Venice backline, they handled it, set up for the kill but junior Laila Braimah and Aber rose on the left block and stuffed the ball back down on the Gondoliers’ court. Game, set, match… city championship!

Asked about how his girls stayed so composed under nerve-racking circumstances, Mercado reflected “I’ve been through so many (playoffs) and they trust me. That’s the biggest thing. The calmness I bring to this group and I keep saying: TYT; Trust Your Training. There’s not one moment that’s too big for us.” 

Mercado continued, revealing the secret sauce of championship teams, “Every game plan we put (in place), not just tonight, not just this match, the whole season: ‘Alright coach, let’s do it.’ And they don’t question it. They trust each other. They love each other. They can’t get enough of each other. So, it’s just sad that at some point it’s going to end. But, at least they’re forever champions.”

Taft hosts Windward in the opening round of Division II CIF State Girls Volleyball Championships this Tuesday at 6PM @ Taft High School. Taft is the #6 seed.