POWAY -- One can't blame Lauren Plum for looking forward to the San Diego Fall Classic.

The junior setter from Poway High has done nothing but win in that girls volleyball tournament.

And Saturday was no different.

Led by Plum, Poway defended its championship with a 25-17, 25-20 victory over No. 2-ranked Cathedral Catholic in the Gold Division championship match at the Epic Volleyball Club.

And as she was last year, Plum was tabbed as the most valuable player in the 10th annual tournament.

"We'll celebrate a little and then go back to work," Plum said, noting the Titans (7-1) have a match at home Tuesday against La Costa Canyon, the No. 1-ranked team in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com and the four-time defending CIF San Diego Section Division I champion.

"I'm excited about Tuesday. Winning this tournament again is just another step for us.

"People don't think we have a chance this season. They've underestimated us because no team works harder than we do."

That's why the Titans seemed a bit more rested in the finals than the Dons (7-2), who managed just 15 kills as a team.

Poway received seven kills from senior Maddie Dahms, seven more kills from junior Mariah Horvath and five blocks from senior Leah Fisher.

Cathedral Catholic answered with senior Lexi Williamson, sophomore Taylor Milton and junior Kelly Reeves, who all had five kills and two blocks.

"These girls are mentally and physically tough," Poway coach Steve Lamb said. "We want to play the best. That's why we're in this tournament, which is supposed to be the deepest it's ever been."

The Titans also have matches against top-rated Bishop's (Sept. 24) and Torrey Pines (Oct. 2) later this season.

"Poway is in the running," Plum said. "We have to go from here and take it one step at a time.

"There was less pressure on us in this tournament. Everyone was looking at Cathedral to kick everyone around. And there was Bishop's and Carlsbad, too."

Poway used a 6-0 surge to take the lead for good in the first game against the Dons, who had junior Rachel Oemcke and Reeves named to the all-tournament team along with Poway's Kara Reis, and Summer Ross and Robin Rostratter of Carlsbad.

Contact staff writer Terry Monahan at (760) 739-6648 or tmonahan@nctimes.com.