VOLLEYBALL PREP PLAYOFFS : Inexperienced Van Nuys Falls to Marshall in City Semifinal

The clock finally struck midnight for the Van Nuys High girls’ volleyball team as Marshall defeated the Wolves, 15-11, 7-15, 15-6, 15-12, Thursday night in a City Section 3-A Division semifinal match at Hamilton High.

The Wolves (11-5) were not expected to reach the semifinals after losing all but one player from a squad that was beaten by Marshall in a three-game semifinal a year ago.

But Van Nuys Coach David Bessler probably will experience a few sleepless nights after his young team let the opportunity for a berth in the final slip away.

“Guaranteed, next year we’re not going to lose in this situation,” said Bessler, whose team blew leads in games one, three and four. “By far, that’s the best we’ve played against Marshall, and, by far, that’s the best we’ve played this year.”

Van Nuys, making its third consecutive trip to the semifinals, took advantage of mistakes by top-seeded and defending 3-A champion Marshall (15-1) in game one to forge an 11-5 edge. But Jiranen Chanyonpatanakul rattled off seven consecutive service points to give Marshall the lead and three more serves by Michelle Turner gave Marshall the game.

The Wolves did not fold, however, and managed to build a 12-4 advantage in game two behind strong serving and the hitting of Jenna Panatier and Cora Everding. Van Nuys won on a pair of hitting errors by Marshall’s Kathy Ham and a kill by Erika Gaytan.

Panatier’s serving helped Van Nuys to a 6-3 lead in the third game, but Ham scorched Van Nuys with 12 consecutive service points, including four aces, to close out the game.

Marshall built a 10-6 lead in game four. Three times, Van Nuys closed to within a point but could not get even.