CdM girls’ volleyball team welcomes first-round challenge, scores win
Long Beach Wilson proved to be a formidable opponent for the Corona del Mar girls’ volleyball team in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1AA playoffs.
Some might’ve described the Bruins as pesky, but that would give an indication that they frustrated the Sea Kings. On the contrary, CdM seemed to welcome the challenge on its way to a 25-19, 25-22, 25-22 victory in the Sea Kings’ gym.
“We played hard the entire match,” said CdM senior Jessie Harris, who led the Sea Kings (22-4) with 11 kills. “I like how the scores were tight because it makes the energy so much better. Our enthusiasm is just awesome. Everyone just played one of their best games. That was the coolest thing ever.”
What’s also cool is CdM is moving on to Thursday’s second round, where it will face Edison, which defeated Peninsula. A coin flip will determine the site.
“No matter who we play in the second round we know it’s going to be a phenomenal team,” CdM Coach Steve Astor said after the win over Wilson (22-13). “Our division is the best in the country.”
Astor said he was not surprised with how tough the Bruins played in each set because “they are extremely well-coached.” They also had a hard hitter in senior Milan Stokes, who led all players with 15 kills. Stokes committed to LSU two years ago.
“I was really happy how we played,” Astor said. “It was a quality win against a very good first-round opponent.”
Each set provided tight moments and a few long rallies. CdM seemed to have an answer for every time the Bruins tried to mount momentum.
The first set featured nine ties and six lead changes before the Sea Kings pulled away from an 18-18 tie and closed it out with a 7-1 run. Alex Osterberg served for the final three points and clipped the net for an ace for the game-winner.
Senior Natalia Bruening, who finished with nine kills, also stood out in the first set, as did sophomore outside hitter Christina Davenport, who came off the bench to provide a spark. Davenport finished with five kills. Senior libero Payton Carter led CdM with 22 digs.
“Natalia did a great job,” Astor said. “Jessie Harris was steady as always. One of the differences in the match was Christina Davenport coming off the bench. She was ready to go and she did a phenomenal job tonight. I think she was ready and did a great job of getting in there and just making plays.”
Wilson again played aggressive in the second set, closing to within 22-21 before Bruening slammed an over-pass for a point. Stokes answered with a kill of her own, but CdM was still up 23-22. Stokes’ serve went long for game point and freshman Kendall Kipp closed it out with a kill from the set of Harris. Kipp contributed eight kills.
In the third set, CdM broke away from a 22-22 tie with a kill from Sydney Alacano. After another long rally, Stokes’ hard hit just went wide for a CdM point to give the Sea Kings match point. Sophomore Ashley Humphreys ended it with an ace and the CdM girls celebrated the hard-fought win.
