TERRY MONAHAN

Staff Writer

MIRA MESA -- Fallbrook High, already leading the Avocado League girls volleyball race by one game, added to its resume for the playoffs on the horizon.

The Warriors roared through the field and then outlasted Scripps Ranch, 15-7, 14-16, 17-15, to capture the 32-team Mira Mesa Tournament championship late Saturday at Mira Mesa High.

"I rested the starters throughout the day so they'd be fresh for the finals if we got there," Fallbrook coach Dennis Palpallatoc said. "We went into cruise at 10-4. Give the girls credit. They sucked it up and I think this gets us over the hump to play at the next level.

"Everything we've done has been to try to peak at the right time. That's what we've worked all year for. It only counts what you do from here on out."

Fallbrook (25-6) swept six opponents and appeared to be doing the same thing in the finals before Scripps Ranch (20-10) fought back from a 10-4 deficit to win the second game. The Falcons rallied to take a 10-9 lead in the third game and held the upper hand until Fallbrook took a 15-14 lead on Shelby Ramsey's kill.

Scripps Ranch tied it for the sixth time at 15-15, but the Warriors wound up clinching the title on Kristen Hughes' block.

Ramsey, who had 15 kills in the finals, was named the tournament's MVP. Teammate Heather Barone was joined on the all-tournament team by Brittany Luketich of Carlsbad, Jessica Kondrek from La Jolla, Kym Murphy of Our Lady of Peace and Ashley Davidson from Scripps Ranch.

"We had the momentum but struggled after we got up 10-4 in that second game," Ramsey said. "I think they were fighting a little harder than we were at that point."

The Warriors also got 15 kills and four blocks from sophomore Heather Hughes, seven kills and four blocks from Coral Lloyd, three kills, five blocks and two aces from Kristen Hughes and three kills and two blocks from Karly Oakley.

Scripps Ranch was led by Ashley Davidson with 13 kills, four blocks and a pair of aces.

10/29/01