HDS exacts revenge

CORONA DEL MAR — The Harbor Day School eighth-grade girls’ volleyball team avenged its only loss of the season with a two-game victory over Corona del Mar in the Coastal Athletic League playoff championship Friday at Harbor Day.

Harbor Day won 25-15, 25-21. Trailing 13-11 in the first game Harbor Day went on an 11-1 run to take command. The Seahawks trailed only once in the second game, 1-0.

Sarah Buckingham, who missed the team’s regular-season match with a sprained ankle, had five kills, including the match winner, and four aces. Erica Petros had six kills and four aces for Harbor Day, coached by Pam Coleman.

Claire Ham had five kills and a block for CdM.

Buckingham said winning the first game gave the Seahawks momentum.

“When we won the first game we got on a roll,” Buckingham said. “The setting was unbelievable from [Kathryn Conner]. We were all hitting well. It was amazing. It was unbelievable.”

Petros said Friday was much different than the first match with CdM.

“We played really well, we had really good defense,” Petros said. “In the first game, we couldn’t get our serves in. Our tips and defense weren’t as good. We weren’t really focused. It was amazing to win.”

Conner had three kills and an ace. Conner said the team wanted to dedicate the match to their coach Jennifer Fenner who could not coach the team because she gave birth Jan. 24.

Catherine Sullivan, who had two kills and a block, said Harbor Day was ready from the start.

“We played really well and we were really pumped up,” Sullivan said. “After the first game they were down. After we won I was like ‘Hallelujah.’ ”

Kati Burke, who had an ace, said it was Harbor Day’s top performance.

Ham, the CdM middle blocker, said the loss did not diminish the team going undefeated in the regular season, without dropping a game, and making a run to the championship match.

“Afterward we talked about the highlights of the match, we really didn’t focus on the bad parts,” Ham said. “It was our last year in middle school and we would have liked to end with a win. We could of played better. We had good times, just coming to the championship and making it all the way here.”

Riley Senske agreed: “Making it to the championship was fun. We really wanted to win.”

For Harbor Day, Kaylee O’Connor, a kill and an ace, Olivia Penfil, a block, Chloe Jasper, Nikki Magliarditi, Gabby Ray and Kaylie Spitzer contributed.

For CdM, Sarah Craig, two kills, Allie Halford, a kill and an ace, Sheridan March, two aces, Haley Senske, two blocks, Ashley McCarthy, a kill, Caitlin Baker, Ashley Ranieri, Valerie Martin, Nikki Waniek and Kelly Cooper were key during the season.

Corona del Mar High volleyball players Chelsea Dalton and Brooke Terry coached the team along with Gary Mathieson.