STATE VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS : La Habra Sweeps Into the Second Round With Victory

LA HABRA —  Six consecutive points early in the third match ensured La Habra High School’s volleyball team of a 15-7, 15-6, 15-7 victory over University High of San Diego in the opening round of the Southern California Volleyball Regional Championships Tuesday.

La Habra (19-1) advances to the second round Saturday.

Setter Lisa Almanza, who had 34 assists, served the six consecutive points and the game-winner.

“I just kept serving and the team worked together to get the ball over the net and not let any return balls drop,” Almanza said.

Said La Habra Coach Sandy Blumenthal: “Lisa is so terrific, she can make a set of any pass.”

Blumenthal cited good passing and excellent serving as the keys for La Habra.

University Coach Robert Gorney said his San Diego Division II champions “didn’t play as well as they could have; fundamentally they were really tight.” University finished 19-3.

Missy Clements (15 kills, three aces), Anna Kristich (13 kills), and Zrinka Kristich (10 kills, three aces) led La Habra.

In the Division I playoffs:

Corona del Mar 3, Bakersfield 0--The Sea Kings (25-2) swept to a 15-6, 15-12, 15-5 victory over the Central Section champions at Bakersfield. Bakersfield (23-3) tied the second game, 12-12, before three consecutive kills by Danielle Everett, who led the Sea Kings with 17 kills. Lara Carlsen added 12 kills and Prentice Perkins had 33 assists for Corona del Mar.