BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP : San Clemente Finally Ends Skid by Beating Woodbridge

San Clemente’s 15-13, 13-15, 15-8, 15-8 victory over Woodbridge in a nonleague boys’ volleyball match Friday at San Clemente was just what it needed.

“That’s our first win in nine days,” San Clemente Coach Mike Hurlbut said.

Although the Tritons improved to 5-1, they were still smarting from a five-game loss to Huntington Beach Wednesday and a dismal winless effort in the Orange County Championships tournament last weekend.

Friday, San Clemente rallied from a 10-3 deficit to win Game 1, and after Woodbridge (5-1) won Game 2, Gabriel Gardner (27 kills) and Corin Bemus (22 kills) provided the firepower in the Tritons’ convincing victories in Games 3 and 4.

San Clemente setter Brandon Taliaferro had 64 assists and quarterbacked the attack that featured primarily Gardner, Bemus and middle blocker Rick Bruce, who had 12 kills. But Gardner, a 6-foot-9 senior who has signed with USC, was clearly the focal point.

“There aren’t too many secrets where we’re going to right now for the big points,” Hurlbut said. “But by the end of the season, we should have three or four guys we can go to in crunch time.”

Woodbridge usually looks to Kevin Reid in crucial situations, but the 6-4 senior suffered through an off-night and finished with only 14 kills. But Steve Jobes (19 kills, 16 digs), 6-5 sophomore Jared Dannis (13 kills) and Nathan Bennett (12 kills) picked up the slack and kept the Warriors close.

“We were up 10-3 in Game 1 before we let them back in the match,” Woodbridge Coach Rich Polk said. “If we win that one and Game 2, we’re up 2-0 and probably still playing right now.”