RIVERSIDE – The winning streak and season came to an end for CIF-Southern Section Division 2A champion Whittier Christian High School Tuesday night in the first round of the CIF State Division II playoffs.

Whittier Christian lost for the first time in the last nine matches, dating back to the Ayala Tournament last month and finishes with a 35-5 record.

A bigger, quicker and stronger Martin Luther King High ended a dream season for the Heralds, 25-20, 25-19, 26-28, 25-21 to advance.

The Wolves (27-7) will play Canyon Crest Academy of San Diego on Saturday.

“This has been a great season, winning CIF and watching the team come together like they have,” Whittier Christian coach Shawn Hunter said. “We knew state teams would be big and strong and they (MLK) showed it (Tuesday). I’m real proud of my girls this season for their accomplishments.”

Leading the way for the Division 2AA champs was junior outside hitter, Kalei Greeley, who had a match-high 30 kills.

Pacing Whittier Christian, which has advanced to its second consecutive state playoffs, was junior outside hitter Kylee Wolfe with 20 kills.

Junior Deanna Blaine had 14 kills and junior middle blocker Stephanie Stevenson added 15 kills.

The first set was back and forth with each team taking no more than a two-point lead until MLK extended the score to four points, 23-19, on consecutive kills by Greeley and the Wolves took the opening set.

Read more: High School Volleyball: Whittier Christian ends its run in first round of State Division II playoffs