OCEANSIDE — St. Joseph Academy went 0-12 in the seven-team Pacific League.

That would destroy most girls volleyball teams.

What that schedule did, however, was provide the Crusaders with a toughness they knew would pay off come playoff time.

And it did, big time.

Top-seeded St. Joseph Academy (12-22) used a well-rounded attack to top The Cambridge School, 25-19, 17-25, 25-20, 25-20, in the Division 5-AA championship match Thursday at MiraCosta College for the program’s first CIF title.

“We played some really hard teams all the way through,” Crusaders coach Ryan Hanson said. “Went through some huge hurdles. The girls never put their heads down all season. Always had their eyes on the prize.”

Senior setter and captain Adley Fontaine helped an offense that saw five players record at least four kills, led by freshman Kristen Elsner’s seven kills. Fontaine had six kills from her setter spot and notched four aces.

The Crusaders had 10 aces as a team, led by Elsner and Malia Sampson’s four apiece. Fontaine and Lauren Elsner each had three. Milena Williams added six kills.

The Cambridge School (8-11) was making its second title match appearance, coming up short despite a well-rounded attack that saw six players earn kills, led by Eva Bagat’s 10.

“I’m really proud of the girls,” Griffins coach Robyn Buller said. “I don’t think any of us had the expectation to be here. We put up a good fight. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Tessa Foust added eight kills, Evelyn Ho had six kills and three aces and Audrey Zhou chipped in with five kills and an ace. The Griffins had 13 aces in all, led by Kaitlyn Sheldon’s four and Anita Cherian’s three.

Set one was tied 6-6 when the Crusaders went on a 14-5 run to take complete control, the final point in that run coming on a Lauren Elsner ace. Elsner finished the set with a kill in transition.

The Griffins came out aggressive in set two, jumping out to an 11-5 lead on Ho’s ace. A 5-0 run by the Crusaders followed, but the Griffins kept the pressure on to take a 15-10 lead. The Crusaders fought back to trail, 18-17, but Eva Bridget’s two kills down the stretch fueled the Griffins to the final seven points of the set.

A back-and-forth fourth set proved to be exactly what the Crusaders needed. Sampson had four kills and three aces in the set. Her two aces down the stretch sealed it.

“I’m so proud of the girls I work with,” Fontaine said. “Seeing them grow has been amazing. I knew from the beginning we could achieve it. Through all the hard work we’re here now, and I’m so proud of us.”