Royal Sweeps to Upset in Volleyball

The Thousand Oaks High girls’ volleyball team has owned the Marmonte League crown for the past three years, but it might have to share it this season after a Royal upset Tuesday.

The Highlanders, who won the league title from 1980-85, swept the Lancers, 19-17, 15-10, 15-7, at Royal to move into a first-place tie with two league matches left.

Royal was inspired in part by a sign authored by Thousand Oaks, the top-ranked Southern Section 4-A Division team, and posted in the Royal gym.

It read: “We are No. 1, how do you feel about that?”

It was ripped down by Royal moments after it beat previously undefeated Thousand Oaks (12-1, 9-1). The unranked Highlanders (10-1, 9-1) were led by middle blocker Wende Brown (11 kills and eight blocks) and outside hitter Alison Bantel (seven kills and six blocks).

But the sign may have determined the match.

“Every girl saw the sign when they came into the gym and said we are going to change that,” Royal Coach Bob Ferguson said.

Thousand Oaks Coach Ron Beick said that he warned his team.

“They paid the price for being cocky and learned a lesson,” Beick said.

Royal erased deficits of 14-7, 16-15 and 17-16 in the first game and came from behind again in the second game.

Thousand Oaks led, 10-7, in the second game before Royal scored the final eight points, three on kills by Brown, to put the Lancers in a deep hole.

Royal scored the final seven points of the third game to turn an 8-7 lead into a victory celebration.