Royal Shocks No. 1 Louisville in Semifinals

When the Royal High girls’ volleyball team won the first two games against top-seeded Louisville on Thursday night, Royal Coach Bob Ferguson told his team not to celebrate prematurely.

But Ferguson did exactly what he told his players not to do.

Three consecutive blocks by middle blocker Wende Brown brought the Highlander coach off the bench with fists pumping, and a little later Royal celebrated a 15-11, 15-4, 15-8 victory in the Southern Section 4-A Division semifinal match at Simi Valley High.

Afterward, Ferguson shook as many hands as a presidential candidate.

“We tried not to get caught up with winning,” said outside hitter Alison Bantel, who had 13 kills. “But of course, we couldn’t help it.”

Fifth-seeded Royal (17-1) which plays Esperanza on Saturday in the final, won the match with dominating defensive net play. Esperanza defeated Arcadia in five games.

Brown (eight blocks) and sophomore Jennifer Hamilton (six blocks) combined for 14 blocks to contain the Louisville front line during critical points.

Hamilton turned the first game around when Royal trailed, 11-6, with two kills and a block as the Highlanders scored the last nine points.

Brown took over in the third game, blocking three kill attempts in a row to increase a 6-2 lead to 9-2 before giving Royal another lift in the third game.

With the score tied, 2-2, Brown again blocked three consecutive Louisville kill attempts, starting a streak in which Royal scored nine of the next 10 points.