Mira Costa Girls’ Volleyball Team Is Defeated by Corona Del Mar

The Southern Section 5-A girls’ volleyball championship plaque took a brief detour on the way to the Corona del Mar High trophy case.

After Corona del Mar defeated Mira Costa, 15-12, 15-9, 15-8, Saturday night in the 5-A championship game at Cerritos College, the Sea King players presented the plaque to their former coach, Charlie Brande.

Middle blocker Lara Carlsen had 18 kills and outside hitter Tracy Schriber added 13 as the top-seeded Sea Kings won their 22nd consecutive match.

The victory was a bright spot in a somewhat frustrating season for the Sea Kings. Brande resigned two weeks before the season began in the wake of an investigation by the Southern Section.

The players practiced on their own for a week before interim Coach Dale Flickinger was hired.

“We’ve dedicated the season to Charlie,” Carlsen said. “He means a lot to all of us. This is the greatest feeling.”

Flickinger said Brande “was the guy who did all the work with this team. It’s a shame he couldn’t have been out here.”

Brande watched from the stands as Corona del Mar’s avenged a three-game loss to Mira Costa in last year’s final.

The 5-A title was the first since 1978 for the Sea Kings. Corona del Mar (24-1) advances to the state Division I playoffs, which start this week.

Cindy DeGarceau had 19 kills and Jennifer Smith 12 to lead Mira Costa (20-2).

Corona del Mar trailed in the first game, 12-11, but three kills up the middle by Carlsen and a block by setter Prentice Perkins gave the Sea Kings the victory.