High School Spring Sports : Royal Rolls Toward Berth in 3-A Playoffs

New teams are supposed to lose. Often. And if they do find themselves in a position to win, new teams are supposed to crack under the pressure.

Someone forgot to tell that to the Royal boys’ volleyball team.

The Highlanders, in their first year of interscholastic competition, rallied from a 14-11 deficit in the third game to beat San Gabriel, 15-11, 15-8, 17-15 in a nonleague match Friday at San Gabriel. Royal (12-2) has won four consecutive matches after winning eight in a row earlier this season.

If the Highlanders beat La Canada on Tuesday and Bishop Diego on Friday, they will qualify for the Southern Section 3-A playoffs. Royal defeated both teams earlier this season.

“We just turned the defense on,” Royal Coach Bob Ferguson said of the latest victory. “We had some great saves by the kids and that’s what builds momentum--defense. We’re playing a lot more consistent on defense.”

Dean Borth and Robert Cho each had rally-saving digs under the net for Royal. Borth also had 38 assists and Cho, in his third start, had nine kills.

“Robert has gradually found his niche and he’s doing really well. He was a factor,” Ferguson said.

Craig Parker had 21 kills and Robert Fungaroli added 16 to help the Highlanders. Parker, a junior outside hitter, was successful on 21 of 34 spikes.

In other boys’ volleyball matches:

Harvard d. University, 16-14, 15-5, 15-9--Bobby Hillman had 17 kills and five blocks, and freshman Mark Shoptaw added 14 kills to lead the Saracens in a nonleague match at University.

Harvard (12-2) split two games with the Warriors during pool play of the Palisades tournament last weekend.

Crespi d. St. Francis, 15-4, 9-15, 15-13, 17-15--Middle blocker Ken Lynch had 19 kills to lead Crespi (15-1, 9-1 in league play) to the Del Rey League victory at Crespi.

Outside hitters Chris McGee and Steve Lepire added 13 and 11 kills for Crespi.

St. Francis is 2-8 in league play.

SOFTBALL

Chatsworth 14, Kennedy 6--Kelly Tubin had three hits and five runs batted in and Mara Phillips had three hits and two RBIs to lead the Chancellors (11-1, 7-0) to a North Valley League victory at Kennedy.

Christina Roopenian (11-1) scattered nine hits and two walks and overcame nine Chatsworth errors to gain the complete-game win.

Roopenian struck out eight and allowed only two earned runs.

Oak Park 3, Santa Ynez 1--Wendy Wootton scattered four hits to lead the Eagles to a Tri-Valley League victory at Oak Park.

Tiffany Lambert singled in the tying run in the first inning and later scored along with Wooten on a throwing error. Lambert was 2 for 3 with an RBI for Oak Park (6-8, 4-5).