NEWPORT BEACH – The Corona del Mar girls volleyball team began Pacific Coast League play against the two teams that potentially pose the biggest obstacles as it tries to claim another league title.
Second-ranked CdM defeated Woodbridge in four last week, and the Sea Kings swept ninth-ranked Beckman, 25-18, 25-19, 25-22, on Wednesday night behind 17 kills from Jessie Harris and seven from Kendal Kipp.
“This is a really good win for us against a really good team, and especially doing it in three,” CdM coach Steve Astor said. “I don’t like to predict, but I probably wouldn’t have thought that.
“Games two and three, they had the lead and kind of had control a little bit, but we hung around. I told my girls just be patient, we would get a run when we need it.”
Corona del Mar (12-1, 2-0) has dominated the Pacific Coast League recently. The Sea Kings haven’t lost a match to a league opponent since 2008.
“Our league is definitely solid this year, which I like,” he said. “I like what we’re doing. We’re doing a really good job of replacing some really good seniors from last year. There’s a good mix of young and old on our team this year.
“I’m happy with where we’re at. I’m definitely not satisfied. We talk about that a lot. It is OK to be happy, but not satisfied at this point in the season. We have a lot of stuff to clean up, for sure.”
Beckman (16-7, 1-1) appeared set on extending the match to a fourth set, when it took an 18-14 lead on an ace from Cindy Tran.
The Patriots also led, 20-16, but the Sea Kings responded with five consecutive points. CdM took the lead for good, 22-21, on a kill from Alex Osterberg.
“Everyone is good in our league now,” CdM senior libero Payton Carter said. “We came out strong and ready and everyone was prepared. The better the league, the better we get.”
Carter, who earned first-team All-County honors last season, had 15 digs.
Tran led Beckman with 12 kills.
Corona del Mar continues PCL play tonight against University, and Beckman faces Irvine.
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com
