NEWPORT BEACH – If high school volleyball is really as easy as Corona del Mar makes it look, then the difference between winning and losing simply just depends on who has the best player on the court.
Or, Parker Brown, as he’s more commonly known around Newport Beach
The Sea Kings’ authoritative leader finished with 16 kills to complement seven aces as Corona del Mar (25-6) thumped visiting West Ranch of Valencia, 25-12, 25-20, 25-18, in the CIF-SS Division 2 semifinals Tuesday.
The Sea Kings will play Oak Park in Saturday’s final
“A player like that has to give the other guys on the team more confidence, especially when he’s on like he was tonight,” Sea Kings coach Steve Conti said.
Whether he was skying for a point-ender, leaping for a block or gliding on a serve, each time Brown left the floor, something good happened.
“It’s all hard work during practice,” he said. “It’s a lot of work in the weight room too. Agility workouts and all the hours I put in away from the court.”
After falling behind 5-3 in the opening set, the Sea Kings rallied off eight consecutive points (seven of which came with Brown on serve) to surge ahead.
Eight points later, at 14-10, the hosts hit 20 with a six-point run and finished the match with five of the final seven points.
“We really push our guys in practice,” Conti said. “We beat them up, and that’s what makes a strong team.”
In the second set, CdM grabbed an early 9-7 lead before exchanging points to 15-13. The Sea Kings claimed all but three of the final 11 points.
