THE PREPS : VOLLEYBALL / GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE ROUNDUP : In Its New Surroundings, Title Is Possible for Tustin

The change of scenery seems to suit Tustin, which won its fourth consecutive Golden West League boys’ volleyball match by posting a 15-17, 15-6, 15-6, 15-9 victory over host Ocean View on Friday.

The Tillers (6-1, 4-0 in league), ranked sixth in Orange County, used to reside in the middle of the highly competitive Sea View League. At one time this season, four Sea View teams were ranked among the county’s top 10.

But now Tustin plays in the Golden West League, where a league title is an attainable goal.

Tustin Coach Ken Koci inherited a 2-14 team three years ago, but he has watched the Tillers make improvements each season. In 1993, the Tillers were 8-9. In 1994, Tustin went 10-7 and lost in the first round of the Division I playoffs to Laguna Beach, which lost to Huntington Beach in the finals.

But now Tustin is in Division II, and Koci hopes seniors Curtis Jackson and Donnie Rafter will lead the Tillers to new postseason heights.

Jackson has started on varsity since his freshman year and Rafter came up to the varsity midway through his sophomore year. Both are Division I college prospects, Koci said.

Rafter, a 6-foot-3 outside hitter, had 23 kills and Jackson, a 6-2 outside hitter, had 20 to help Tustin rebound from a sluggish start Friday against Ocean View.

“We missed nine serves in the first game and you can’t expect to win doing that,” Koci said. “That first game was my fault. I have to make sure the guys are ready and that they’re focused throughout the match.”

Jackson’s serve jump-started the Tillers in Game 2, helping Tustin score five consecutive points to take a 9-3 lead. Although Cam Carr had five kills for Ocean View (3-7, 2-2) in Game 2, the Seahawks couldn’t keep up. When they tried to stop Rafter and Jackson outside, Tustin went inside.

Tustin setter Greg Logan, who had 65 assists, balanced the attack with middle blockers Aaron Kraus (15 kills) and Alan Hoang (10 kills) producing.

The teams were even, 4-4, in Game 3 before Tustin scored nine consecutive points to take control. Ocean View stayed with Tustin in Game 4, but after the score was tied, 9-9, Tustin scored the final six points and ended the match with a Jackson spike.

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In other Golden West League matches:

Servite 3, Santa Ana 0--Ryan Schley had 13 kills and Tony Marusich had 10 kills to lead Servite (7-3, 4-0) over Santa Ana 15-7, 15-8, 16-14. Santa Ana is 0-4 in league.

Westminster 3, Saddleback 0--Todd Mann had 24 assists and Tim Holmes added 10 kills in the 15-11, 15-10, 15-8 victory. Westminster is 6-3, 2-2.