USDHS Volleyball Players Hope Flu Won’t Bug ‘Em

Don’t read him wrong. Rob Gorney isn’t bemoaning the fact that his USDHS girls’ volleyball team has won five consecutive San Diego Section titles.

It’s just that the taste of victory would be all the sweeter if a state championship was the piece de resistance.

And this could be the year the Dons’ feast.

“This is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, of all the CIF champion teams I’ve had,” said Gorney of USDHS (23-2), which will play host to (Lakewood) St. Joseph’s (17-1) in a Division II Southern California Regional playoff at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

In Division I regional semifinal play, Torrey Pines (30-2) plays host to (Manhattan Beach) Mira Costa (21-2) and Poway (23-5) will visit (Newport Beach) Corona del Mar (25-1) to take on the Southern Section 5-A champion Sea Kings, ranked fourth nationally in Volleyball Monthly . Second-seeded Francis Parker (22-1) will meet (North L.A.) Mar Vista Windward (16-2) in a Division III semifinal at home. All games are 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

The second-seeded Dons have won their last 19 matches and were easy 3-0 winners over Taft Tuesday, despite having several players out because of a flu virus.

“We sent a scout up there, and we’re confident we can beat St. Joseph’s,” Gorney said. “I just hope we’re healthy. It’s frustrating because we were really peaking.”

If USDHS can slip past third-seeded St. Joseph’s, they could meet top-seeded La Habra, the team that ousted them from the playoffs in the first round last year, Nov. 27 in the regional final.

USDHS is led by senior middle hitters Michelle Rico, the 2-A player of the year last year, and Christina Alvarado, who had nine kills against Taft, and junior setter Rose Dowling.

“She’s a tremendous setter, one of the best in the county,” said Gorney. “We’ve been hard pressed in that area in other years, but she’s made a big difference. She can put the ball anywhere.”

Mira Costa has been a volleyball factory through the years, with many players going on to top collegiate programs around the country.

But Mira Costa isn’t so tough this year, and Torrey Pines could capitalize on that, according to Poway Coach Lisa Reis.

“Mira Costa is definitely in a down year,” Reis said. “I think Torrey can beat them and get to the state finals. Their mental attitude is so good. They don’t give up.”

The Falcons lack the one big name that instills fear in opponents, but are well-balanced, with outstanding outside hitters, seniors Amy and Christy Peters (no relation) and junior Brett Hensel.

Poway may have a tougher time with top-seeded Corona del Mar, to which the Titans lost in the semifinals last year. The Sea Kings have won 23 consecutive matches and are led by middle blocker Lara Carlsen, outside hitter Tracy Schriber and setter Prentice Perkins.

Parker, winners of three state titles from 1986-88, lost six seniors after the 1988 season and was eliminated from the playoffs in the first round last year.

The Lancers, winners of 18 consecutive matches, have solid outside hitting from twins Jill and Amy Meier.

Parker Coach Doug Huffman said the Lancers would have to stop Mar Vista Windward middle blocker Jenny Johnson.