Girls’ volleyball tops Tesoro

Laguna improves to 7-1 by beating the Titans in four games; they face the Corona del Mar Sea Kings on Tuesday.Playing what coach Lance Stewart said was some of its best volleyball of the season, the Laguna Beach High girls’ volleyball team upended visiting Tesoro Tuesday, 25-16, 23-25, 25-21, 25-23, in Pacific Coast League play at Dugger Gym.

The victory lifted Laguna to 7-1 in league play and 17-6 overall.

The Breakers lead the league race heading into Tuesday’s home showdown with their rivals, the Corona del Mar Sea Kings.

“From start to finish, that was some of the best volleyball we’ve played this year, especially in our first game,” Stewart said of Tuesday’s victory over Tesoro.

“The girls did a great job. They controlled play, they attacked well and did a nice job serving.

“I thought Paige Obradovich did a great job as our defensive specialist. She had some great digs. Dana Hutchinson also passed, served and attacked well.”

Last weekend, Laguna participated at the Torrey Pines California Challenge and finished tied with Mater Dei for 11th place in the 24-team tournament.

Two of Laguna’s wins during the tournament were over Scripps Ranch, ranked No. 1 in Division II in the CIF-San Diego Section, and Stockdale/Bakersfield, the two-time defending Division I champion in the CIF-Central Section.

Just five minutes after surviving Stockdale/Bakersfield in a draining, five-game match, Laguna took on Notre Dame Academy and lost in three games.

Laguna began the previous week’s action by coming back to defeat host Northwood, 23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-22.

Stephanie Darnall had 30 kills and 17 digs, Hutchinson had 20 kills, 20 digs and three aces and Mykaela Miller had 10 kills, two aces and 46 set assists for the Breakers.

Laguna is idle until Tuesday’s showdown against Corona del Mar at Dugger Gym.

The Sea Kings handed the Breakers their only league loss on Sept. 29.

“CdM-Laguna is always a big match,” Stewart said. “You always want to beat your rival.”

In girls’ tennis, Laguna’s Pacific Coast League match against visiting Tesoro, scheduled for Tuesday, was postponed due to rainy conditions.

The match is rescheduled for today at 3 p.m. at the Laguna Beach High tennis courts.

Last weekend, Laguna claimed the consolation title of the Corona del Mar All-American Girls Tennis Tournament by defeating host Corona del Mar, 6-3, in the consolation final.

The Breakers won four singles despite playing without Lyndsay Kinstler.

Laguna had lost to the Sea Kings on Sept. 29 in Pacific Coast League play.

In its tournament opener, Laguna lost to La Quinta before reeling off victories over Santa Margarita, Mater Dei and Corona del Mar.

Laguna and Corona del Mar square off a third time this season when the teams tangle Tuesday in a key league match at Laguna.

Laguna’s big week continues Wednesday with a match at Peninsula, the top-ranked team in CIF-Southern Section Division I who won the Corona del Mar tournament last weekend.

“It’s a big week and the girls know what they have to do,” Laguna coach Greg Weiss said. “They’re ready for the challenge.”

In boys’ water polo, Laguna scored a 6-5 Pacific Coast League victory over host University.

The Breakers will play a first-round game Monday at the Servite Tournament.20051021iomum9knDON LEACH / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)Laguna’s Stephanie Darnall rips one past two Tesoro blockers. Below, Dana Hutchinson digs one in the same game. 20051021iomumoknDON LEACH / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)Laguna’s Stephanie Darnall rips one past two Tesoro blockers. Below, Dana Hutchinson digs one in the same game.