Second Seed for State Regionals
Boys Volleyball (19-8)
Photos by Robert Campbell.
Laguna dropped a tough semifinal contest 20-25, 25-22, 23-25, 21-25 last Wednesday, May 20, to the eventual Division 2 champion Oak Park Eagles from Ventura County before a good crowd at Dugger Gym.
Unforced errors contributed to the margin in the first set loss, but Laguna looked sharp at the end of set two, breaking an 18-18 tie to even the match at 1-1. Tough serving by Cole Paxson was key in that victory.
In set three, Laguna led 16-12 and looked unstoppable before a series of unforced errors let the Eagles regain the momentum for the set win.
Breakers misfortune carried into the fourth set and they quickly were down 10-1 before re-grouping and nearly catching the visitors at 21-23. Pete Obradovich led the team with 17 kills, Tyler Alter and Dane Olson added 14 each. Cole Paxson had 18 digs and two aces while Adam Lythgoe added 10 digs and two aces with some very tough serves.
Breakers learned last Sunday they would defend their state regional title this past week in the Division 3 playoffs for schools with 1,200 students or less.
Breakers hosted Rancho Dominguez from the LA CIF this past Tuesday, May 26, and a win would probably send San Diego’s Francis Parker to Dugger Gym on Thursday, May 28. The finals will be on Saturday, May 30, 3 p.m. at Cerritos College with a difficult rematch against Saddleback Valley Christian (25-4), a squad that defeated Oak Park this season. Since the tournament was reactivated in 2009, Laguna has won four titles.
