CdM sweeps again

Taylor had one solo block and three block assists, while Hodson had two block assists and an ace. Humphreys chipped in two block assists and an ace and senior libero Mary McKennon was her usual dynamic presence in the back row.

McKennon said after two lopsided playoff wins, the competition will spike beginning Saturday.

"These first two [playoff matches] were slow and lackadaisical," McKennon said. "And we know we didn't play our best. But I think we're in really good position, because every practice, we have a goal in mind and that's the [section final]. Me being a senior, along with [Taylor, Watson and Nikki Borchard], we want it so bad. Every team I've been on the last three years has either lost in the semis or in the final. I think we want it really bad and every day we fight really hard for it.

"We know that on Saturday, we can't mess around, because the teams we are playing will be better and better."

Marlborough was less than an imposing foe.

The Mustangs trailed throughout the first game, but did manage several leads in Game 2, the last being at 11-9, prompting a CdM timeout.

Kennedy had back-to-back kills to pull the hosts even and a Marlborough lift violation put CdM on top, where it remained the rest of the evening.

"Each day, we're trying to really focus and maintain focus, but it's tough, because the season drags out," Booker said. "Every coach is in the same position now. But I think our players know the magnitude of where we're at right now and we have to be focused each and every match."

barry.faulkner@latimes.com

Twitter: @BarryFaulkner5