Rest Assured, Ferguson Savors Royal Win

SIMI VALLEY — Bob Ferguson couldn’t sleep Monday night.

He got up, walked around, watched a little TV and read the Bible before finally closing his eyes.

The reason? Ferguson, Royal High girls’ volleyball coach, made a key lineup change for Tuesday night’s Marmonte League opener against Westlake.

Opposite hitter Michelle Lampkin and outside hitter Danielle Upmeyer switched positions.

Based on the success of Lampkin (17 kills), Upmeyer (13 digs) and the Highlanders, who defeated Westlake, 14-16, 15-11, 15-8, 15-9, at Royal, Ferguson could rest easily Tuesday night.

“You can never change a lineup the night before a league opener and get away with it,” Ferguson said. “This was a huge challenge for us.”

An even bigger challenge for Royal (2-1) was overcoming a poor first game.

Marci Davis had five of her 12 kills in the first game for Westlake (2-1).

But the Highlanders adjusted and Lampkin threw down four kills in the second game as Royal took control.

“We came out a little shaky in the first game,” Lampkin said. “But we believed in ourselves, came out and did it.”

Lampkin had plenty of help from her teammates. LaKesha DeBerry had 13 kills and six blocks. Carrie Swartz added 10 kills.

Megan Mullen had seven kills and Davis added six aces for Westlake.