Wolverines Confront Old Nemesis

As if they haven’t seen enough of each other--eight matches since 1994--Harvard-Westlake and Bishop Montgomery high schools will play again in a state girls’ volleyball Division III semifinal tonight at Bishop Montgomery in Torrance.

The Wolverines are 3-5 against Bishop Montgomery in the last five years, but they are 2-1 in postseason play against the Knights, including two of the most memorable victories in Harvard-Westlake history.

In 1995, the Wolverines defeated Bishop Montgomery in the Southern Section Division III-A final and again in the state Division III semifinals en route to the school’s first state title.

Bishop Montgomery beat the Wolverines earlier this season, 15-11, 5-15, 15-3, 15-3, but Harvard-Westlake has improved.

“We didn’t really have the confidence back then,” outside hitter Anne Jakle said. “We were kind of just shifting around. I think we’ve improved a lot. We’ve really kind of found our groove.”

Harvard-Westlake (21-5) had a trouble passing the ball in the first match against Bishop Montgomery, and was burned repeatedly by Katie Olsovsky, a 6-foot-3 middle blocker who had 25 kills and seven blocks.

“If we play like we have been the last couple [matches], we should be right in there,” Harvard-Westlake Coach Jess Quiroz said.

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Harvard-Westlake setter Ashley Julian, who missed more than a month because of a fractured wrist, is expected to start for the first time since suffering the injury.

Julian, who has also battled strep throat recently, will start in place of Leslie Meller.

“Leslie saved this program, but Ashley got the ball there [in a quarterfinal victory] and got the middle going,” Quiroz said.

Opposite hitter Liz Gelbard, who sat out the first match against Bishop Montgomery because of an ankle injury, will start at opposite hitter for Harvard-Westlake.

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Royal was swept by Huntington Beach Marina in a Division I quarterfinal last week, but it wasn’t a complete loss.

Had Royal continued to win, Coach Bob Ferguson would have had to make a tough decision. His son, Travis, is getting married on Saturday, the day of the Division I final.

“Major conflict of interest,” Ferguson said. “It would have been a tough one, but you’ve got to have your priorities straight. I would have gone to my son’s wedding.”

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Courtney Guerra, a 5-11 senior outside hitter for Royal, was selected Marmonte League player of the year.