CdM rallies to sweep Mesa

Richard Dunn

COSTA MESA - It is different than in years past, when Corona del

Mar High’s girls volleyball team would race through Costa Mesa in less

than an hour, leaving that evening’s dinner plans as the only real

suspense.

These days, like in Monday’s Pacific Coast League battle, the Mustangs

play as a hungry team.

They pushed heavily favored Corona del Mar in the first two games and

built sizable leads in both, but Coach Steve Conti’s Sea Kings (8-5, 5-0

in PCL) rallied to win both games, then swept host Costa Mesa, 15-13,

15-10, 15-5.

“I definitely think we get more out of the match knowing we can come

back,” said Conti, after senior outside hitter Sara Deming closed out the

match with six unanswered points from the service line, including kills

from the back row for CdM’s 13th and 15th points.

Deming, a left-handed hitter who played solidly for CdM in the Torrey

Pines Tournament last weekend, finished with a match-high 14 kills, seven

in the final game as the Sea Kings, ranked No. 3 in CIF Southern Section

Division III-AA, finally snapped a lengthy exchange of sideouts and won

by 10.

“The first two games were probably ... the best we’ve played (in

2000),” Costa Mesa Coach Darlene Bailey said. “We were pretty consistent

on some of those long rallies.

“I was pleased with the way we played, but I was more pleased with the

way we competed. We could’ve easily won those first two games. With more

experience and confidence, maybe we could have (won).”

Costa Mesa (5-5, 2-3), led by senior middle blocker Casey Peterson (12

kills) and senior setter Nancy Hatsushi, enjoyed leads of 5-2 and 7-4 in

the first game.

But, behind senior Lauren Nielson’s serving, CdM came back. The first

game was tied four times, the final time at 10-10 when Jessica Jennings

and Lindsey Anstandig combined on a block, then Jennings’ kill gave CdM

an 11-10 lead.

Peterson barely hit a ball wide for another CdM point, then Nielson’s

kill upped CdM’s lead to three.

After CdM scored again, Peterson slammed a two-handed first return for

a kill and Mesa sideout, triggering a rally that brought the Mustangs to

within 14-13.

Mesa staved off four game points, before Katie Duggan’s kill for CdM,

which set up game point. Anstandig provided the honors by spiking in the

game-winner.

Costa Mesa responded well after the loss, going up, 8-1, in the second game as sophomore Emily Abbott had two kills and Peterson chipped in with

two kills and a solo block. Sophomore outside hitter Sharon Day’s kill

put Mesa ahead, 7-1, then a hitting error by CdM increased the Mustangs’

lead to seven.

“I’d like to see us be a better starting team,” Conti said. “We do a

good job of finishing, but we can’t spot Laguna Beach an 8-1 lead like

that.”

CdM hosts Laguna Beach Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The Sea Kings beat the

Artists in five games in the first round of PCL play, but lost to them

last weekend in a three-game sweep.

In the second game, Duggan and junior Eleanor Mack, who served three

straight aces, ignited the Sea Kings’ comeback. Anstandig added two

kills, then Deming and Jennings combined on a block to get CdM even, 9-9.

The game was tied, 10-10, then the visitors went ahead on a Mesa

hitting error, starting a string of five consecutive points to conclude

the game. Deming capped it with a kill.

Mesa also led in the third game, 3-1. CdM came back and built a 6-3

cushion, then 14 of the next 16 serves resulted in sideouts as the

Mustangs refused to go away.

After the exchanges, CdM found a groove and put the Mustangs away,

scoring the game’s final six points without a sideout and Deming at the

service line, ending the match in about 1:25.

“We need a day of practice,” said Conti, whose team played a five-game

match Thursday, four- and five-game matches Friday and two three-game

matches Saturday.