Scott Panaro‘s debut this week as Laguna Beach High School’s eighth boys’ volleyball coach in 39 seasons followed the usual script as the Breakers swept the host Chargers in straight sets, 25-17, 25-20, 25-21 this past Tuesday at Mohs Gym on the Edison campus.
Breakers trailed 7-6 after one full rotation in set one before strong serving by Grif Fair (three aces) started Laguna rolling to coast to the win. Edison led briefly in the second set at 3-2 before Jackson Pries served the hosts off the court to take control of the set. Laguna never had a big run in the third set but strong balance hitting by Weston Barnes, Austin Hillemann, Maxx McCarter and Jackson Pries was too much for Edison. Overall, Barnes led the team with 13 kills, Hillemann and Pries had eight each. Grif Fair had 32 assists, two kills and three aces as the setter while overall the team recorded 12 service aces. Noah Blanton added three kills and a block assist while Cole Kesler and Lucas Capobianco came off the bench for some strong serving support.
Breakers host Newport Harbor, today, Friday, March 2 at Dugger Gym and are off until next Friday when they are in the 26th Annual Foothill Tournament. Breakers are in the Knight’s event for the seventh time, winning titles in 2004, 05 and 2009. Last year Laguna lost in the finals to Mater Dei.
