Fledgling Royal Volleyball Program Wins 2-A Crown

Two years ago, Royal High didn’t have a volleyball program. Today, it has a Southern Section volleyball title.

The Highlanders outlasted St. Bernard High in the inaugural 2-A Division championship match, 15-12, 9-15, 15-9, 12-15, 15-4, on Saturday at Marina High in Huntington Beach.

“We have talented kids,” Royal Coach Bob Ferguson said. “And with this being only our second year of volleyball I’d say it’s quite an accomplishment.”

After Royal and St. Bernard split the first four games, the Highlanders (19-1) bolted to an eight-point lead in the deciding game--largely on the strength of 6-foot-3 outside hitter Craig Parker, who erupted for five of his match-leading 16 kills.

It looked as though the pumped-up Highlanders would blank St. Bernard (18-7), but the Vikings’ defensive front of seniors Keith Cochran and Jay Armant scored three consecutive points off the block.

St. Bernard could not build on that momentum, however, and Royal soon increased its lead to 11-3. Ethan Weiss then served consecutive aces to move the Highlanders within two points of the title, 13-3.

After the teams traded points on bad passes, Cochran sent a spike attempt wide and Royal had its championship.

“I don’t think St. Bernard had a chance to win this match,” said Royal setter Dean Borth, who finished with 45 assists. “We were awesome today and we played aggressive volleyball.”

Royal got off to a slow start in the third game as St. Bernard took a 3-1 lead. Parker gave Royal its first lead of the game at 7-6 on a block, and the Highlanders never trailed again in building a 2-1 lead in games.

But Armant spiked and blocked his team to a narrow win in game four to keep St. Bernard alive. Armant finished with 11 kills to lead the Vikings.

Royal controlled the net, registering 17 blocks to St. Bernard’s 12.