VOLLEYBALL: V. HILLS CLOSES WITH WIN CITY: DONS CLAIM INVITATIONAL TITLE OVER CLEVELAND.

Byline: Justin Frank

Special to the Daily News

Maybe it wasn't the playoff result it expected, but the Vergudo Hills of Tujunga girls' volleyball team ended its season a winner with a 25-19, 16-25, 25-20, 25-15 victory against Cleveland of Reseda in the City Section Invitational final Saturday at Occidental College.

"We really wanted to compete for the City (Championship) title," said Verdugo Hills coach Will Reinhart, whose team fell into the Invitational bracket after a first-round loss to Fairfax of LosAngeles on Nov. 1. "But, the bottom line is these girls wanted to win, and we went out winners."

Lauren Lumpkin put in a solid all-around effort for the Dons (18-11) with 16 kills, 16assists and six blocks. Briana Larranaga had a match-high 23 assists and Laniece Cobb added nine kills for Verdugo Hills.

Cleveland (11-15) crept as close as 21-20 in the pivotal third game, but Michell Cao's serve, which would have tied the score, was ruled out and the momentum swung to Verdugo Hills' side for the rest of the match.

The Dons scored the final four points of the game.

"(Cleveland) just made a few more technical mistakes then we did," Reinhart said. "I'll give them credit they played real hard and have a lot heart, just like us."

Elizabeth Learning Center 3, Northridge Academy 2: Northridge Academy's attempt to complete a perfect season came to an end as Elizaberth Learning Center of Los Angeles defeated the Pumas 25-21, 21-25, 26-28, 25-13, 15-10 in the City Small Schools final at Occidental College.

The Pumas entered the match with a 17-0 record and had not dropped a game in the playoffs before the final.

Despite a strong game from junior middle blocker Samantha Seals, who had 17kills and six blocks, and a 2-1 lead in games, Northridge Academy could not hold on.

"It's disapointing that we came up short," Northridge Academy coach Azadeh Badiei said. "There is always a winner and a loser, and we just came up on the short side this time."

After almost stealing the third game, Elizabeth Learning Center (15-8), the defending small school champion, outscored the Pumas 40-23 the rest of the way.

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