Shadowlands

Looking back, 5 years ago this week.

The Estancia High boys volleyball team digs down deep to score a

five-game win (1-15, 15-10, 13-15, 16-14, 16-14) over crosstown rival

Costa Mesa. Sam Nelson, a 6-foot-4 All-CIF basketball star in his junior

season, slams home 33 kills, a dozen of the scoring variety to breathe

life into the Eagles, who at times are thoroughly outplayed by the

seniorless Mustangs. Costa Mesa sophomore B.J. Lightvoet leads the

Mustangs with 25 kills, while junior teammate Josh Summers adds 16 kills

and junior Tom Lightvoet collects 18. “We got together at the end, that

was the difference,” says Estancia Coach Dale Hall. “But Costa Mesa was

more consistent over the course of the match.”

The Corona del Mar boys volleyball team clinches a CIF playoff berth

with a 15-8, 15-7, 15-13 victory over host El Toro. The Sea Kings use an

aggressive defense and attack quick for a Game 1 win, led by Dennis

Alshuler and his seven kills. Alshuler, a 6-foot-5 sophomore middle

blocker, finishes with 16 kills. Blair Hoppe leads the way with a

match-high 22 kills.

The Newport Harbor boys volleyball team displays its domination in a

15-3, 15-4, 16-14 win over visiting Irvine. The Sailors plays nearly

flawlessly in the first two games. Junior setter Travis Nelson records 19

assists, while Dana Mesenbrink, the Tars’ lone senior, posts two service

aces.

Looking back, 10 years ago this week.

The Corona del Mar High boys volleyball team loses the first two

games, but came back and win the next three over Sea View League host

Woodbridge. The Sea Kings win, 9-15, 13-15, 15-8, 15-9, 15-7, behind the momentum created by Preston Smead. He records three stuff blocks,

including two significant ones in the fifth game. Kyle Thompson (eight

blocks) and Derek Slingsby (match-high 28 kills) also contribute in the

victory. Doug Hesse adds 22 kills and Jeremy Mape chips in 16 kills.

Senior setter Ryan Steelberg, using a sneaky quirk left hand for most of

his spikes, posts 15 kills and amasses 61 assists.

The Orange Coast College baseball team takes care of business with a

10-4 victory over visiting Saddleback allowing Pirates Coach Mike Mayne,

in his last season, to reach win No. 400. He is 400-188, good for a .680

winning percentage in his 15 season as head coach. A loss would have

meant Mayne would have retired with 399 wins. “I’ve been here 16 years

total, and it seems like 48,” Mayne said. “It feels good, and I’ve been

through quite a lot. And quite a lot of players have come through here

and used this place as a launching pad for bigger things. Among those

players are eight former Pirates, who play in the Major Leagues the

previous year, including Mayne’s son, Brent, who is a catcher at Kansas

City at the time.

-- compiled by Steve Virgen