Girls volleyball: CdM inches closer to share of league title

Steve Virgen

IRVINE - Desire fueled the Corona Del Mar High girls volleyball

team to a 15-11, 15-11, 15-4 Pacific Coast League victory Tuesday over

host University.

Controlling its own destiny for a share of the league title with

Laguna Beach, the Sea Kings’ determination to win made the difference.

The Trojans were anxious for revenge because they lost in a five-game

match at CdM, Oct. 12.

“Everyone was fired up,” said Sara Deming, who led the Sea Kings with

15 kills. “(The league title), that puts desire into everyone.”

CdM’s quest was evident from the beginning. The Sea Kings (14-8, 8-1

in the PCL) seized momentum by grabbing victory in the first game.

The Trojans (7-8, 5-4), however, battled back and opened with a 4-0

lead in the second game. CdM quickly retaliated and caught University as

the teams fought back and forth to an 11-11 tie.

Then, a bit of controversy surfaced. After Deming forced a sideout

with a kill, Jessica Jennings went to serve with the Sea Kings leading,

12-11. But, Coach Steve Conti wanted to substitute Alissa Zoelle in for

Jennings. While Conti asked the scorekeeper a substitution question, one

CdM substitution exchange was made. And when Conti tried to sub in

Zoelle, the official did not allow it because the players must be

substituted all at one time.

Fortunately for the Sea Kings, Jennings closed out the game serving

the final three points, including an ace to begin the run.

The second-game victory seemed to take the life out of the Trojans as

CdM went on a 14-point run after the Trojans had jumped to a 4-1

advantage.

“They’re hungry,” Conti said of his team’s desire. “One of the things

that impressed me was that this was one of our better team performances.”

Lindsay Anstandig finished with 14 kills and four aces for Corona,

while teammate Lauren Nielson had five aces.