VOLLEYBALL : Loyola Sweeps into Division I Semifinals

Top-seeded Loyola took a big step in its drive to win the Southern Section Divsion I boys’ volleyball title by eliminating defending champion Huntington Beach, 15-1, 17-15, 15-2, in the quarterfinals Friday at Loyola.

The Cubs (18-1) received another balanced attack with Pat Klein generating 17 kills, Dan Farmer 16 and Brad Walsh 15. Defensively, Loyola was led by Walsh and Farmer with eight digs. Klein produced six blocks.

“The fact that they had a little smaller block [smaller players at the net] and we were passing well helped free up our offense and kept them from focusing on one hitter,” Loyola Coach Eric Wells said.

The Cubs took a quick 7-0 lead en route to their opening-game victory, but needed to rally from behind twice in Game 2 to put away the Oilers.

Trailing 7-4, Loyola made a run and led 14-8 on a block by Lee Bennett and Walsh. However, Huntington Beach (17-3) answered with seven consecutive points to reach game-point at 15-14. The Cubs worked a sideout and then ended the threat with points off two ball-handling errors and Klein’s fourth kill.

Loyola plays the winner of the Royal-Santa Barbara game Wednesday at a site to be determined.

The Cubs (17-1) advanced to the quarterfinals with a decisive sweep of Santa Ana Mater Dei on Tuesday in Santa Ana. “I’m the luckiest coach in the [Southern Section] to walk into a group like this,” Wells said. “A lot of coaches will wait 10 to 15 years to get a team this talented. Having athletes this good to work with is a real challenge.”

Steve Dunne controlled the attack, setting for the Cubs’ explosive outside hitters. Five Loyola players took turns firing spikes with Brad Walsh getting a game-high 12 kills.