Boys Volleyball (17-7, 10-0) Orange Coast League Champions
Breakers defeated Hoover (Glendale) 25-14, 25-19, 25-16 behind 11 kills by Tyler Alter and Josh McManus to win their opening round in the 43rd Southern Section boys volleyball playoffs Tuesday, May 10. Sam Burgi added eight kills and five aces while Cole Paxson recorded 20 digs. Breakers played El Toro this past Thursday in the second round.
The squad entered the 43rd consecutive post-season seeded second to defending champion Oak Park, which defeated the Breakers in last year’s semifinals. Should the seedings hold, Laguna would face El Toro on Thursday, May 12 and a very good Simi Valley on Saturday, May 14. The semi-final is set for Wednesday, May 18, and the final on Saturday, May 21, at Cerritos College.
Breakers are defending Division 3 state regional champions having defeated Saddleback Valley Christian the last two seasons for the title.
Last week, Laguna concluded the regular season splitting a pair of non-league matches, closing out league with another easy victory and dropping a non-league match at Dana Hills on Wednesday, May 4. This past Friday the Breakers held their 33rd annual Alumni match.
On Tuesday, May 3, Laguna swept Saddleback 25-15, 25-15, 25-16 at Bus McKnight Gym on the Roadrunner campus. Top kill leader was Josh McManus with 10 while Liam Christiansen added nine. On Wednesday, the Breakers lost to Dana Hills (21-10) 23-25, 25-18, 20-25, 18-25 as they failed to make plays after some great defensive efforts. Tyler Alter was exceptional with 16 kills and six blocks while Sam Burgi recorded three aces and Cole Paxson 20 digs. Isaac Wulff added five kills, three blocks, 12 digs and 42 assists.
Photo courtesy of Laguna Boys Volleyball.
In Friday’s alumni match, the varsity met a highly decorated squad that included six players with collegiate experience. Alums included Weston Barnes, class of 2012, the starting libero for Pepperdine this year, two CIF MVPs and 10 players who had started on state or Southern Section CIF championship teams.
Alumni prevailed 25-17, 22-25, 14-25, 27-25, 19-17 in a competitive hard fought match that captivated those who attended as one of the best of recent years.
Sand Volleyball (9-1) South Coast Division Champions
The 28-team playoffs began on May 9 with the Breakers defeating Pacifica Christian 3-0.
Team 1 Katelyn Carballo and Cammie Dorn won 21-8, 21-11; team 2 Katie Gavin and Lexi McKeown won 21-7, 21-9; team 3 Lauren LaMontagne and Sage Patchell won 21-12, 21-9.
Laguna advances to the second round on May 19 in Santa Monica to face Redondo Union. League web site: www.ibvl.org
Playoff seedings: 1 – Mira Costa, 2 – Mater Dei, 3 – Westlake, 4 – Sierra Canyon, 5 – Edison, 6 – Laguna Beach, 7 – Saddleback Valley, 8 – Marymount, 9 – Arroyo Grande, 10 – Alemany,
