Girls Volleyball: A Championship Response

Championship seasons are rarely defined by how they begin. More often, they are remembered for how a team responds when adversity arrives.

For the 2025 Ontario Christian Girls Volleyball team, adversity came early. The Lady Knights opened the season with a 2-7 record and suffered a setback in their Ambassador League opener against Linfield Christian. The loss was significant—it marked Ontario Christian’s first league defeat since 2017, ending a streak of league dominance that had spanned nearly a decade. At that moment, the season could have gone in many different directions. Instead, the Lady Knights chose to respond. Fueled by trust, perseverance, and a belief in one another, Ontario Christian rallied together and reeled off seven consecutive league victories to capture the Ambassador League Championship for the seventh straight season, continuing a legacy of excellence that has become synonymous with the program.

But the Lady Knights were far from finished. Ontario Christian entered the CIF Southern Section Division 5 playoffs determined to prove that their early-season struggles did not define who they were. Hosting Warren High School in the opening round, the Knights swept their way to a 3-0 victory and advanced deeper into the postseason. The championship journey continued with a 3-1 victory over Downey, a thrilling 3-2 win against Culver City, and a commanding 3-0 sweep of Santa Barbara in the semifinals.

Then came Championship Saturday. Inside Cerritos College, Ontario Christian faced Chadwick High School with a CIF Southern Section championship on the line. After months of growth, sacrifice, and perseverance, the Lady Knights delivered their finest performance when it mattered most, defeating Chadwick 3-1 to claim the CIF Southern Section Division 5 Championship. The title marked the third CIF championship for Head Coach Paige Liebhart, adding to an already remarkable coaching resume that includes two CIF State Championships. As the final point was secured, the celebration began. Outside the gymnasium, players, coaches, families, and supporters gathered together as sparkling apple cider flowed and emotions overflowed. It was a moment of joy and gratitude for a team that had overcome so much to reach the top. Yet even then, the season was not over. The Lady Knights carried their momentum into the CIF State Tournament, sweeping Santa Barbara 3-0 at home before falling in a hard-fought five-set battle against Mission Vista in the regional playoffs.

While the state tournament run came to an end, the legacy of the season was already secure. What began with uncertainty finished with a championship. What could have become a disappointing season instead became a story of resilience, faith, and unwavering belief in one another. Through every challenge, the Lady Knights demonstrated the power of perseverance and proved that great teams are not defined by adversity, but by how they respond to it.

Ambassador League Honors

First Team All-Ambassador League

Addison Culbert
Avery Kunkel
Isabella Trujillo

Second Team All-Ambassador League

Shirley Ornelas
Lilly Sampson

Ambassador League Coach of the Year

Paige Liebhart

CIF Southern Section Honors

All-CIF

Avery Kunkel
Isabella Trujillo
Addison Culbert

CIF Southern Section Coach of the Year

Paige Liebhart

Congratulations to Our CIF Champions

Ontario Christian Athletics would like to congratulate the players and coaches who made this historic championship season possible:

Players

Hanna Piega
Avery Kunkel (Captain)
Adalyn Slager
Shirley Ornelas
Isabella Trujillo
Mia Zuniga
Seraphine Rodriguez
Aly Machuca
Madelynn Duag
Addison Culbert
Sophia Deocales
Avery Van Horssen (Captain)
Lilly Sampson

Coaching Staff

Head Coach Paige Liebhart
Associate Head Coach Chad Kunkel
Assistant Coach Michael Sampson

Congratulations to the entire Ontario Christian Girls Volleyball program on an unforgettable season. Your perseverance, commitment to one another, and unwavering faith transformed a challenging start into a championship finish. The 2025 CIF Southern Section Division 5 Championship will forever be a part of Ontario Christian history, and this team will be remembered as a group that trusted one another, embraced adversity, and finished as champions.

The Lady Knights’ success was a reflection of the talent, leadership, and commitment found throughout the program. With multiple All-League selections, three All-CIF honorees, and Coach of the Year recognition for Paige Liebhart, Ontario Christian once again established itself among the premier volleyball programs in Southern California.

The team’s journey reflected the message found in Romans 5:3-4: “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Through every challenge, the Lady Knights remained united in faith and purpose, ultimately turning adversity into a championship season that will be remembered for years to come.