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Coach Arman Mercado attributes much of this season’s success to the leadership and dedication of his “Core Four,” setter Francine Baltazar-Shine, libero Gianella Tijamo and outside hitters Aleiah Carr and Eva Velarde, who are the key players on a roster that includes 11 seniors and six juniors.

Venice, which fell in five sets to Taft in the Open semifinals last fall, was regarded as the preseason favorite and also features a senior-heavy group highlighted by All-City first-teamer Samantha Lortie and second-teamers Amiekal Looney and Gaia Adeseun-Williams, along with senior libero/defensive specialist and captain Pauline Lao.

Two Mustangs are committed to play indoor at USC — junior setter Milly McGee, who has proved a worthy successor to the graduated Charlie Fuerbringer, who is now at Wisconsin, and senior libero Taylor Deckert, who averages 5.2 digs per set.

Zimmerman was named most valuable player after a roof on match point and joining her on the All-Tournament team were Boice and Sea Hawks junior libero Rowan DeVore.

Libero Jordan Shelor served back-to-back aces to nudge the host Mustangs in front 11-10 and they gradually pulled away.