PREP VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP : San Clemente Turns the Tables on El Toro

San Clemente took on former South Coast League rival El Toro Friday night in nonleague boys’ volleyball, and the Tritons came away with a satisfying 15-13, 15-8, 15-9 victory over the Chargers at San Clemente High.

“It has been awhile since I’ve smiled after playing El Toro,” Triton Coach Mike Hurlbut.

Last season El Toro took the league title and beat San Clemente all three times they faced each other, including a victory in the semifinals of the State championships. El Toro was No. 1 in the final poll last season and San Clemente was No. 5.

On Friday, El Toro (2-1) was missing starting hitter Bill Coblentz, out with a broken bone in his right foot suffered while playing beach volleyball last week.

The Chargers took a 4-1 lead in the first game, but San Clemente (2-0) rallied, scoring four consecutive points behind the serves of 6-9 senior Gabe Gardner, giving San Clemente a 5-4 lead.

The teams traded points before senior Corin Bemus gave San Clemente the lead for good at 13-11, with two consecutive aces.

After eight opportunities at game point, the Tritons finally put it away, 15-13.

“In the first game we were really patient,” Hurlbut said. “I’ve coached them to be patient and rally the ball, and it paid off in the first game.”

Led by senior hitter Steve Hilbert, El Toro pressured the Tritons early in Game 2, taking a 5-3 lead. But again, San Clemente came back, scoring nine consecutive points for a 12-5 lead.

El Toro tried to bounce back in Game 3 after San Clemente jumped out to an 8-0 lead. The momentum was on San Clemente’s side, as the Tritons finished with Gardner serving out the last four points.

“We weathered their charges tonight,” Hurlbut said. “We played like a team. Tonight there were six guys out there doing their part.”

Gardner finished with 15 kills. Bemus added 17 digs and three aces.

Hilbert finished with 20 kills for El Toro.

In other nonleague volleyball:

Aliso Niguel 3, Capistrano Valley Christian 0--Bryan Todd had 13 kills to lead Aliso Niguel (3-0) to a sweep, 15-4, 15-7, 15-0.

El Modena 3, Valencia 1--Dan Vilmer had 13 kills for El Modena (1-1), which won, 16-18, 15-11, 15-7, 15-6. Kevin Allen had 14 kills for Valencia (3-2).

Foothill 3, Mater Dei 0-- Matt Nichols had 10 kills to lead Foothill (1-1) to a 15-13, 15-9, 15-4 victory.

Garden Grove 3, Saddleback 0--Mike Blackner had nine kills for Garden Grove, which won, 15-6, 15-4, 15-6.

Huntington Beach 3, Newport Harbor 0--Greg Slick had 13 kills for Newport Harbor (1-1), which lost, 15-12, 15-12, 15-13.

Tustin 3, Calvary Chapel 1--Curtis Jackson had 22 kills and Donnie Rafter 21 for Tustin (1-0), which defeated Calvary Chapel (2-1), ranked third in Division II, 15-9, 12-15, 15-11, 15-4.

Villa Park 3, Santa Ana 1--Rob Nguyen had 13 kills for Villa Park (1-3), which won, 15-10, 18-16, 10-15, 15-13. Tiafaca Lagai had 21 kills for Santa Ana.

Westminster 3, Pacifica 1--Jake Cope had 11 kills for Westminster (2-0), which won, 15-6, 6-15, 15-7, 15-10.

Woodbridge 3, Marina 1--Kevin Reid had 25 kills and Steve Jobes had 19 kills and nine aces for Woodbridge (3-0), which won, 15-8, 11-15, 15-11, 15-6.