Boys’ Volleyball: CdM sweeps in regional opener

The Corona del Mar High boys’ volleyball team swept La Verne Damien, 25-17, 25-15, 25-18, to open the CIF SoCal Division II Championships Tuesday at home. But Coach Steve Conti said the Sea Kings “have to pick it up,” in Thursday’s semifinal.

Conti said it was to be expected that his CdM team would not be at the same level as it played during the CIF Southern Section Division 1 title match against Huntington Beach on Saturday. The Sea Kings (29-7) lost to the Oilers in five sets (22-25, 25-14, 25-22, 26-28, 15-8) and came close to ending HB’s historic run at 100 straight matches.

“We played how I expected us to play after that championship match on Saturday,” Conti said.

Sam Kobrine led top-seeded CdM with eight kills. Ryan Moss added seven kills, three blocks, three digs and three aces. Kevin Fults and Finn Jeffrey had six kills each, while Will Hunter finished with five kills and Augie Miller with four. Matt Ctvrtlik amassed 22 assists.

CdM will play host to fifth-seeded Clovis North Thursday at 7 p.m.

Clovis North (32-11) won at fourth-seeded San Diego Cathedral Catholic, 25-23, 14-25, 25-18, 23-25, 15-13, Tuesday night.

— From staff reports