Royal Edges Campbell Hall, Advances to Volleyball Final

Royal High earned a berth into the Southern Section 2-A Division final against St. Bernard by nipping Campbell Hall, 16-18, 7-15, 15-10, 15-5, 17-15, Thursday at Moorpark High.

In the final game, Royal built an 8-3 lead behind junior Jeff Colton and senior Craig Parker. The Vikings would not fold, however, and tied the score, 8-8, when the Highlanders’ Matt Brown hit into the net. But Viking miscues gave Royal an 11-8 margin.

After Campbell Hall Coach Kris Ragland called a timeout, the Vikings rallied to a 13-13 tie. The teams continued to trade points before Colton gave Royal a 16-15 lead with a deep spike. Campbell Hall passed out of bounds on the next play and Royal was headed to the final.

“We tried to put pressure on Royal’s setter in order to prevent Colton and Parker from getting good sets to spike,” Ragland said. “We just couldn’t neutralize those two.”

Nevertheless, Campbell Hall (20-3) came out firing behind Freuhling, who finished with 15 kills, and senior Ty Leatherman, who had 28 assists. The Vikings dominated play early as both teams committed numerous serving and passing errors.

Already ahead, 2-0, in games, Campbell Hall jumped to a 6-0 lead in the third game, but Royal rallied for five consecutive points.

After a Don White and Leatherman block for a point and a 10-9 Campbell Hall lead, Royal erupted for six in a row and took its first game.

Colton took charge in games four and five, getting 14 of his match-high 23 kills in the final two games. Parker added 21 kills.