Breakers look for redemption

LAGUNA BEACH --- It may be a consolation prize, but it’s a prize nonetheless, and the Laguna Beach High boys’ volleyball team is chasing it.

The Breakers are one match away from the CIF Southern California Division III Regional title, after sweeping visiting Salesian of Los Angeles, 25-21, 25-18, 25-16, Thursday night.

After being upset on the road in the CIF Southern Section Division II semifinals last week, Laguna is eager to prove that it can play its best volleyball at the end of the year. And, while Coach Lance Stewart is still looking for a complete match from his squad, the Breakers (25-6) will go for the regional title on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Capistrano Valley High.

They’ll face top-seeded Francis Parker of San Diego.

“Being the No. 1 seed [in CIF] and losing in the semifinals was a big upset,” said senior libero Harrison Phelps, one of two Breakers, along with senior outside Cooper Gwaltney, who will play in the Orange County All-Star Game Tuesday at Newport Harbor High. “This is kind of a rebuttal for us. We want to take it all the way. We have a second shot.”

Gwaltney had a team-high 14 kills against Salesian, junior Scott Chapel had 11 and junior Travis Woloson had nine. Sophomore setter Robbie McKnight dished out 20 assists, while Woloson had 15.

“We started playing as a team [in the third game],” Woloson said. “We started attacking. We saw where their weak spots were, and it opened up the whole offense … I don’t think we’ve played our best volleyball yet. I think we have to just let it all out in the last match.”