Breakers drop season opener

It is said that it’s not how you start, but how you finish that matters most.

The Laguna Beach High boys’ volleyball team launched its 2006 season Tuesday night against visiting Edison in nonleague play at Dugger Gymnasium. Although the Breakers dropped a 25-19, 25-21, 25-15 match to the Chargers in a battle between a pair of top-10 teams, Laguna Coach Lance Stewart saw some positives in defeat.

“We went up against a bigger, stronger, more experienced team,” Stewart said of Edison, ranked fourth in Division I. “But, we played and stayed better with them than I thought. I saw some good things on the court.”

Senior middle blockers Roy McDennon and Jordan Martin led Laguna in kills with seven apiece. McDennon was the junior varsity outstanding offensive player last season.

Sophomore outside hitter Mike Call finished with a team-best nine digs, junior outside hitter Blair Bigelow had four solo blocks and sophomore setter Clay Knapp recorded 30 assists for the Breakers.

Stewart has a relatively young team taking the court this year, with five players back from a 2005 squad that finished 18-10 overall, second in the Pacific Coast League and advanced to the CIF-Southern Section playoffs quarterfinal round for the 25th time in the 32-year history of the postseason tournament.

Among the five returning players, Bigelow started most of last season and was named the team’s most improved player. Knapp was a back row specialist, Call started 10 matches and Zander Olson, a senior, played opposite and middle blocker.

Two players gone from last year are all-CIF selections Luke Morris and Andrew Chapel. Morris is now a starter at USC.

“I think that by the end of the year, we’ll have a better volleyball team than last year,” Stewart said. “I base that on athleticism and intensity. Last year’s team had more talent, but this year’s team has more fire, a better mental makeup and demeanor on the court.”

Laguna, which entered the season ranked seventh in the Division II poll, will be tested early and often during the season.

In addition to taking on highly-regarded Edison Tuesday, next week, the Breakers play at Newport Harbor Tuesday and host Huntington Beach on March 10.

The Sailors are ranked seventh in Division I and Huntington, a rival of Edison’s in the Sunset League, is No. 3 in the Division I poll.

Laguna also will go up against San Clemente on March 23. The Tritons just missed breaking into the Division I top 10, coming in at No. 11.

The Breakers will compete in two tournaments during nonleague action. First up is the Foothill Tournament at the Saddleback Valley Volleyball Club on March 11. The Breakers have won the tournament the past two years.

On March 17, 18 and 20, Laguna will compete in the county’s premier tournament, the Orange County Championships, at Edison High.

As for Pacific Coast League competition, Stewart said he hasn’t seen other teams play, but knows that Corona del Mar will be “very good” once again, and Tesoro has the talent to contend for the league title.

Corona del Mar is the defending league and Division II champion. The Sea Kings are ranked second in the Division II poll.

Tesoro, meanwhile, is ranked fourth in the Division II poll.

“We play a brutal schedule, that’s for sure,” Stewart said. “We’re looking forward to playing these teams. I’m just excited to see where this team can go. If they’re willing to work hard, they can have a great season.”cpt.03-spvolley-CPhotoInfoRR1OH5G520060303ivh8mbknDOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)Laguna Beach High School volleyball player Mike Kahl spikes a ball over the outstretched hands of Edison defenders, left to right, Michael Hensley and Kody Barrett in a non-league match at Laguna Beach High School on Tuesday.