HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL: SOUTHERN SECTION 3-A DIVISION PLAYOFFS : Harvard Dominates Long Beach Poly

Sophomore outside hitter Court Young recorded 16 kills and senior setter Chris Hopkins had 50 assists to lead Harvard-Westlake High to an easy 15-7, 15-8, 15-5 win over Long Beach Poly in a Southern Section 3-A Division volleyball playoff quarterfinal Friday at Harvard.

The Wolverines (17-4) established their attack early and never let up on the Jackrabbits (15-2).

“We knew there was no way they could stop us,” a confident Hopkins said. “They were outmanned. Our hitters had one-on-one blocking and could hit over them all night.”

Middle-blocker Seth Rodsky had 11 kills and Matt Sebree 14 as Harvard concentrated on its middle attack early. That opened up the outside for hitters like Young.

Harvard never trailed, pulling away in the middle of each of the first two games. By the third game, the Jackrabbits had cracked, and a 6-0 start gave the Wolverines the momentum they needed to close out the match.

Hopkins said the Wolverines are beginning to play like they did last year, when they won the 3-A title. “We are jelling at the end of the year, just like last year,” he said.

What offense Poly generated came from the combination of setter Setha San and outside hitter Rolando Santiago, who had 15 kills.

Harvard will meet Esperanza, a 15-8, 4-15, 15-2, 15-7 winner over host Notre Dame, in a semifinal Wednesday night. For Notre Dame (16-2), Morgan Hay recorded 12 kills and Matt Greenfield added 10 in a losing cause.

Royal d. El Modena, 15-11, 15-11, 15-3--Top-seeded Royal (20-0) cruised to an easy win at El Modena (16-2). Steve Hodge had 16 kills and Terry White added 13 for the Highlanders, who will meet Crespi in the semifinals.

Crespi d. South Torrance, 6-15, 15-7, 15-13, 14-16, 15-13--Mike Lees recorded 36 kills and Bill Rojas added 19 to lead the host Celts (14-3) at home.