POWAY ---- The motto this year for the Torrey Pines High girls volleyball team is a simple one: "Go big or go home.''

With 13 of the 18 players on the roster at least 5-foot-10, including five who are at least 6-foot, one can see why the Falcons want to stand tall at the net.

Poway found that out Thursday when Torrey Pines put its blocking ability on display for a 25-12, 25-23, 25-16 nonleague victory on the road.

It wasn't that the No. 2-ranked Falcons (3-0) enjoyed a huge advantage in blocks, but the 22-16 margin is deceptive.

"When we needed a block or two, we got them,'' Falcons junior outside hitter Alexa Armstrong said. "We have so many big girls on this team and in the entire program, I'm almost too short to play up front at 5-10.

"Blocking is huge for us. We have a big front row, and it sets up everything we do on offense as well as defense.''

That's what happened against No. 7 Poway (4-3).

The Titans were able to hang with the Falcons in all three games despite playing without three starters, including All-CIF setter Lauren Plum, who is still mending from a broken left ankle.

Torrey Pines led 12-11 in the first game before running off 12 unanswered points.

In the second game, Torrey led until 19-18, lost the lead again at 22-21 and then grabbed the lead for good at 24-23 on an Armstrong block. A 3-0 run clinched the second game.

The third game was close at 15-12 before the Falcons again took control, scoring six straight points. Another 3-0 run made it 24-15, dashing any thoughts of a comeback.

Six of the Falcons' 22 blocks came in that final game.

"We're a very good blocking team,'' Falcons coach Jim Harrah said. "When we had to dial it in, we did it.''

Poway coach Steve Lamb wasn't too upset about his club's effort considering three players were sidelined.

"People will see the scores and think we got smoked, but I'm really stoked,'' Lamb said. "Torrey Pines is a very physical team at the net, and when they went on runs it was because of solid net play.

"It would have been nice to win a game.''

That almost happened in the second game. The score was tied five times and the lead changed hands twice after Poway led until an unforced error put Torrey Pines on top 19-18.

"If we put our minds to it,'' said Armstrong, "we can do anything.''

One thing the Falcons want to do this year is get another shot at the CIF San Diego Section Division I championship. After winning the first two games last year against rival La Costa Canyon, the Falcons lost the final three games.

"I've heard too much about that,'' said Armstrong, who had six kills and 11 blocks. "I play on a club team with a lot of the LCC girls, so I heard about the entire club season.

"That makes me want to win it all the more.''

Contact staff writer Terry Monahan at 760-739-6648.