Laguna misses out on win

SANTA ANA – It was a missed opportunity that all started with a missed bus.

Laguna Beach High starters Clay Knapp and Jake Killian didn’t make it to the boys’ volleyball team’s bus in time for departure, which according to school rules, meant they weren’t permitted to play Tuesday night against Calvary Chapel.

To make matters worse, another Laguna starter, Mike Kahl, sprained his ankle only four points into the first game and was out for the remainder of the match.

So, what should have been a third straight win for the Breakers turned into a frustrating and dragged out 16-25, 25-18, 17-25, 22-25, 18-20 Orange Coast League loss.

The setback also dropped Laguna from No. 3 to No. 4 in the in CIF Southern Section Division II coaches’ poll.

Laguna Coach Lance Stewart had to scramble for changes against the Eagles. He put in Travis Woloson as the back-up setter and Scottie Chapel played opposite hitter for the first time this year.

Stewart said despite the substitutions and confusion about where players should be positioned, the team started the first game with energy and confidence, but then began to fall through on a number of plays.

“We had some opportunities to come back in a few games.” he said. “We were lacking in court intelligence, and did not make the necessary decisions on the court to execute skills most efficiently.”

The Breakers won the first game by a long shot, before the Eagles came back in the second game to beat them.

Laguna came up with a huge win in the the third game, but it just couldn’t make the plays to finish the win.

“We’ve proven that we have the ability to play at a real high level of volleyball,” Stewart said. “It’s a matter of sustaining that level for longer periods of time.”

Cooper Gwaltney and Shawn Merz had 17 and 16 kills, respectively. Chris Reames had 26 digs and Woloson recorded 53 assists for the Breakers.

Kahl is expected to play in the next league match on Friday against Costa Mesa. If the Breakers win, they will be guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.

Laguna previously beat the Mustangs in back-to-back play on April 4 and April 15, so Stewart is confident the Breakers will win this next match.

In previous action, the Breakers routed Estancia 25-10, 25-16, 25-11 on April 18.

Morris and Killian had 15 and 12 kills. Reames had 9 digs, and Knapp had 36 assists.