Breakers suffered consecutive 5-set match losses fading in the fifth set. On Thursday, Aug. 16, in a steamy gym at Dana Hills, Laguna lost 25-18, 26-28, 25-20, 14-25, 8-15 to the Dolphins. Piper Naess led the squad with 20 kills and 18 digs, while Ella Tyus added 14 kills, Halle Carballo 19 digs and Soren Patchell 35 assists. Breakers were missing Cambria Hall, a key part of the rotation.
On Tuesday, Aug. 20, Laguna dropped a 16-25, 16-25, 25-23, 26-24, 6-15 match at Aliso Niguel (3-0). After trying a 6-2 offense, Breakers went to a 5-1 approach to battle back in the match. The thrilling fourth set had Laguna down 24-21 when Piper Naess’s kill brought her to the serving line. Luisa LoFranco then added two kills, a hitting error by Aliso, and Ella Tyus finished the set with a kill. The momentum wasn’t enough for the final set, as Laguna was down early and lost the argument on a number of key calls. Overall, Piper led the team with 23 kills and 17 assists, Tyus added 14 kills, Cambria Hall added 10 kills, and Soren Patchell had 10 digs and dished out 44 assists.
Both opponents are good teams this season: Aliso was second last year in the South Coast League and is expected to be a playoff team this season. Dana won back-to-back Sea View titles but is competing in the South Coast this season. Breakers still lead the best-of-five-set series with Dana at 18-9 and suffered their first loss to Aliso in 11 regulation match meetings.
Laguna faced Tesoro at home on Aug. 23 and will host San Clemente on Monday, Aug. 27. Breakers are at Sage Hill on Thursday, Aug. 30, for their last event before the Labor Day Weekend break.
Follow the girls team on Instagram @lbhsvarsitygirlsvb.
