Estancia sweeps crosstown rival

Mesa vs. Estancia girls volleyball for Sat.Eagles improve to 6-1 in Golden West League with convincing win over Mesa.COSTA MESA -- Estancia High is looking for a league championship. Costa Mesa is looking for a few wins.

The Estancia girls volleyball team beat neighboring host Costa Mesa, 25-19, 25-23, 25-15, in a Golden West League match Friday.

The Eagles were able to avenge last year’s losses. Estancia fell twice to Costa Mesa.

Estancia seems to have shrugged off its past. The Eagles have equaled their 12-win total of last year, with at least three more weeks to play.

“Last year we were young, and we took our lumps. This year we’re still young, but we are turning the corner. We’re becoming a good team,� Estancia Coach Jim Huffman said.

Setter Stacie Watson was key in Estancia controlling the pace of the match. Watson led both teams with 18 assists.

The junior was able to set up numerous attacks and with deceptive passing. Watson’s passes left the Mustangs guessing where the shot was coming from. On many of Watson’s sets, there were multiple Eagles flying toward the net.

“Our passing has really improved, we are getting more familiar with where we are, and I have time to give good sets,� Watson said.

“It makes my job so much easier. There are so many girls that can go up and get the kill.�

Estancia scored 23 kills. Five different players were able to attack the net for the visitors.

Taylor Brown led the Eagles with 10 kills. Jaye Hamilton added eight kills.

“I feel our team played really well. We did it missing two of our best players,� Hamilton said.

Estancia was without starters, libero Muriel Mason (separated shoulder) and outside hitter Sara Braunsdorf (strained knee.)

In the first game, Costa Mesa took an easy 5-0 lead. Estancia came back, scoring nine straight points with Kellie Watson serving.

The Mustangs stopped the streak when Danielle Norton connected on a kill.

Even though it was the first game, it may have been too late.

After that point, the Eagles never lost the lead for the rest of the match.

With the Eagles up 23-19, reserve Ravyn Kostenbader was able to clinch the first game with two kills for Estancia.

In the second game, momentum swung between the teams. Taylor Brown was able to manage five kills in the game. However, Costa Mesa received multiple kills from Tracy Bjelland and Alaina Abalos.

The game was decided when a dig by Estancia’s Tracy Patton was misplayed by Costa Mesa in the backcourt.

Estancia dominated the third game, opening with six unanswered points. Two of the points were service aces from Patton.

An unforced error forced Costa Mesa to lose the serve.

Down 7-3, Costa Mesa made one more attempt at a rally. The Mustangs scored four points to pull even, 7-7.

Bjelland had two kills and Danielle Morton scored two service aces in the rally.

Once the Eagles had the Mustangs down, 20-14, the Eagles scored five of the next six points to finish off Costa Mesa.

“This feels pretty good, winning on the road. We have a dozen wins. That’s more than we had the last nine years,� Huffman said.

Estancia (12-4, 6-1 in league) doesn’t seem to be content with just playing well. Huffman has his eyes on a league championship.

“Our only loss is to Ocean View. We lost [at Ocean View], but we get them back at our house,� Huffman said.

Costa Mesa Coach Chris Comer found some bright spots for his team.

“I think we may have the best libero in the league in Catlyn Duffy. She had 15 digs in the match today,� Comer said.

“Tracy Bjelland is recovering well from her ankle injury,� Comer added.

Bjelland led the Mustangs with five kills in the match.

The Mustangs will need Bjelland, their kill leader, at full strength to make a run at the playoffs.

The Mustangs are 8-11, and 3-4 in league play. Estancia’s Annie Tomasek (4) and Costa Mesa’s Alaina Abalos battle at the net in Friday’s crosstown rivalry in girls volleyball. 20051015MJ1JTPB8No Caption20051015MJ1JTPB6No Caption20051015iodmxtkn(LA)Estancia’s Jaye Hellmich rips a kill into the backcourt Friday against Costa Mesa. 20051015iodmydknPHOTOS BY DON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)Estancia High volleyball players join in celebration after a point against crosstown rival Costa Mesa in Golden West League action. 20051015iodmxkknPHOTOS BY DON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)Estancia High volleyball players join in celebration after a point against crosstown rival Costa Mesa in Golden West League action.