Royal Starts Off With a Victory : Volleyball: Highlanders defeat Thousand Oaks in four games in Marmonte opener.

With dramatic momentum shifts and long emotional rallies, Tuesday night’s match between the Royal and Thousand Oaks High girls’ volleyball teams had the atmosphere of a championship event.

Six weeks from now it might make a difference, but this was the opening night of Marmonte League play for both teams.

Royal defeated Thousand Oaks, 15-13, 15-17, 15-13, 15-12, at Royal in a contest that won’t change the perception that each league matchup will be a battle.

“It’s going to be a tough league season,” Royal Coach Bob Ferguson said. “But for the first league game, it’s a win and we’ll take it.”

Royal (2-1) was led by a pair of senior outside hitters. Kelly Ahern had 17 kills, 13 in the final two games.

Susan Torst had 13 kills and 18 service points for Royal, including a school-record seven aces. Royal is ranked 19th in the state.

“I think we were fired up to play but we weren’t really up until the third game,” Ahern said. “We weren’t talking a lot to each other before then, then we stepped up.”

Outside hitter Michelle Lampkin had four aces for Royal, including one that clinched the first game and another on match point.

Thousand Oaks (1-2) was led by sophomore middle blocker Jenn Detmer, who had 12 kills and four blocks. The 6-foot-2 Detmer didn’t start but provided a lift with four kills in the second game.

Detmer had six kills in the third game to help Thousand Oaks rebound from a 12-7 deficit and pull even, 13-13, before an Ahern serve and Torst kill gave Royal a 2-1 lead.

Royal opened the match by taking an 11-5 lead. But the Lancers regained their composure to score eight consecutive points.

Outside hitter Christy Stueve had two kills and an ace during the run.