Moving on

Mike Sciacca

Matt Anderson sat on the bottom row of bleachers that were halfway

tucked into each other inside Dugger Gymnasium, a white towel draping

the top of his head.

The 6-foot-5 senior outside hitter, used the towel to wipe away

remnants of some hard-earned sweat following a sweet, sweet victory.

He might keep the soiled towel as a reminder as to what can be

accomplished.

Laguna’s team captain had his typically huge game -- he and

teammate Trey Chapel each had 24 kills -- as Laguna Beach defeated

Villa Park in an action-packed, four-game second round match of the

2003 CIF Southern Section Division II volleyball playoffs.

For Anderson, who recently signed a letter of intent with USC, the

match more than likely was his final home game, as it was for fellow

seniors Nick Glavas, Jeremy Weiner, Evan Dineen and Nick Aronoff.

In tonight’s quarterfinal match, Laguna will play at top-ranked

Valencia.

Should the Breakers defeat Valencia, a semifinal match would be

played next Tuesday at a neutral site.

The Division II final is set for May 31 at Cypress College.

Anderson sat in the near empty gym, talking with friends, when he

was asked to reflect on his just completing his final home match.

“I thought about it every play,” he said. “I just didn’t want the

season -- or my career here -- to end. Last year, the season ended

abruptly for us.”

Laguna was bounced from the 2003 Division IV playoffs in a

quarterfinal loss to Bishop Montgomery.

“I remember thinking that I couldn’t wait for another chance this

year,” he said. “We have a great opportunity ahead of us and I think

we will make the most of it.”

Laguna will need to be mentally and physically prepared to face a

Valencia team that has sat atop the Division II rankings much of the

season.

A three-hour bus ride today awaits the Breakers.

But it’s a road they will gladly travel; after all, the

quarterfinals of any postseason event would not be the same without

Laguna Beach involved.

This year marks the seventh in a row that a Laguna team has at the

least reached the quarterfinal round. Moreover, it’s the 23rd time in

Laguna’s storied playoff history, that the program has accomplished

the feat.

Laguna is competing in its 30th CIF-SS postseason event and is a

five-time tournament winner.

Tuesday’s win over Villa Park was the programs’ 65th in 89 playoff

matches.

“Even though this was a big win and kept our season alive, we need

to put this match behind us and get ready for Valencia,” Anderson

said. “It’s going to take a complete team effort, much like we had

tonight.”

Nick Aronoff, starting setter, said surviving Villa Park gives the

Breakers added confidence heading into tonight’s match.

“It was really great that we could pull this match out,” said the

6-5 Aronoff. “We played with intensity down the stretch and if we

play solid defense and make them make mistakes, then we can beat

Valencia. I know we can do it.”