PREP ROUNDUP : El Toro Earns 2nd Volleyball Victory in Three Days Over Corona del Mar

Not many girls’ volleyball teams can claim two victories in one season over perennial power Corona del Mar.

El Toro, however, earned its second victory in three days over the Sea Kings Monday night.

The Chargers, ranked third in Orange County, rallied from a 2-1 games deficit for a 15-10, 15-17, 12-15, 15-13, 15-11 victory over visiting Corona del Mar. The victory was important to El Toro (4-1), which also beat the fourth-ranked Sea Kings (1-4) Saturday in the third-place match at the Orange County Championships.

“I was very concerned about this match,” El Toro Coach Mike Jagd said. “Sure, we beat them on Saturday and it’s always nice to beat Corona del Mar, but this is Monday, and people only remember what you’ve done lately.”

El Toro’s latest victory was the result of strong play from hitters Jaime Smith, Wendy Balut and Tishara Jespersen, who teamed with setter Leslie Steinert for kills in a number of key situations throughout the 2 1/2-hour match. Smith finished with 17 kills, including six in the last game, when the Chargers opened a 10-2 lead and then watched as Corona del Mar rallied to 10-9.

Three of Smith’s kills came after the Sea Kings closed to a point. After a Smith ace made it 14-11, Jespersen finished the match with her 11th kill.

Jagd also praised the play of Balut, who had 13 kills and made a number of important digs. “Wendy was everywhere out there, especially on defense,” Jagd said.

Corona del Mar’s Charmayne Conley countered Smith’s hitting attack with power, finishing with a match-high 29 kills. Conley was supported by Lori Newcomer, who had 19 kills, and middle blocker Allison Englebrecht, who had eight kills and six blocks.