Breakers serve up revenge

Rick Devereux

Pay back can be tough to swallow.

One week after defeating the Laguna Beach High boys volleyball

team in three games on the Breakers home court, Corona del Mar lost,

25-15, 25-16, 21-25, 25-23, in the CdM gym.

“They thought they would roll over us like they did in our house,”

said Laguna Beach outside hitter Luke Morris. “They came out a little

slow and we killed them here.”

The Sea Kings had a chance to secure first place in the Pacific

Coast League with a win, but early mistakes were too much to

overcome.

“In the first two games we had no rhythm,” CdM Coach Steve Conti

said. “Part of that is we didn’t perform well, but you have to give

credit to Laguna. They won every long rally. We couldn’t handle what

they brought.”

Corona del Mar (21-6, 7-1 in league) committed 13 unforced errors

in the first game. The Breakers (15-8, 6-2) had four. The second was

only slightly better for CdM, committing nine errors to Laguna’s six.

“[CdM] didn’t play great in the first two games and we served OK,”

said Laguna Coach Lance Stewart. “If you couple that with the fact we

were able to execute, that’s a big reason [for the lopsided scores in

the first two games].”

The Sea Kings, ranked No. 3 in CIF Southern Section Division II,

won the third game with a combination of desire and reduced mistakes.

The third game is the only game Laguna Beach, ranked No. 4 in

Division II, had more errors than CdM.

“Energy won the third game for us,” senior outside hitter Tom

Welch said. “Every point everyone was yelling. Our energy level rose

in the third game.”

The fourth game was a raucous affair with fans for both teams

chanting throughout, and there was plenty to cheer about.

Both teams made difficult digs. Both teams saved balls headed into

the stands.

Both teams were able to salvage points from the brink of defeat.

“Even though the match was over in four games, that was as good of

a high school volleyball match as you will ever see,” Stewart said.

“There was a lot of passion and intensity in that match. “

Corona del Mar will have a second chance to wrap up the league

championship Tuesday at Tesoro.