Top-Ranked El Toro Spikes Dana Hills

For the first time in weeks injury-riddled Dana Hills had its starting lineup intact, but the Dolphins were still no match for top-ranked El Toro.

The Chargers defeated Dana Hills, ranked sixth in Orange County, 15-2, 15-10, 11-15, 15-4, in a South Coast League boys’ volleyball match Tuesday at El Toro High.

Ryan Mariano had 22 kills and two blocks and setter Todd Steinert had 47 assists to lead El Toro (11-1, 7-0 in league). Doug Thompson added 10 kills and Chris Jacobson added nine kills and two blocks for the Chargers, who only stumbled in Game 3.

Bob Hefty and Matt Clem each had two blocks, and the Dolphins (8-4, 4-3) tallied eight in the game to post a 15-11 victory. Jeremy Darner, who had a team-high 17 kills, and Neil Hewko, who had 12, also had four kills each in Game 3.

Darner missed four matches because of a blood clot in his arm and wasn’t medically cleared to play until Tuesday, Dana Hills Coach Oz Simmons said. Setter Wes Tsai also returned for the first time after missing a week with the flu and Hewko returned after being out with a sprained thumb.