VOLLEYBALL : Bell Buries Its Ghosts of the Past

The Bell High boys’ volleyball team finally dispatched an old nemesis.

The Eagles have squared off with Granada Hills four times in 10 years, each confrontation coming in the playoffs and on the Highlanders’ home court. Each time they lost.

Not this time. Bell had the home-court advantage last Thursday and defeated Granada Hills 13-15, 15-13, 15-12, and 15-12 in a City Section 4-A Division quarterfinal playoff game.

“This victory is sweet,” Bell Coach Mike Mayfield said. “The last time we played (Granada Hills) was two years ago and we never had them on our home court. But this time, we had the crowd and the home court.”

The Eagles’ opposite hitter, Dickie Purcell, had 19 kills and seven blocks, while middle blocker Rudy Flores had 13 kills and four blocks.

The turning point for the Eagles (14-1) came in the third set while behind 9-2. After Mayfield called a timeout, Bell responded by outscoring Granada Hills 13-3.

The Highlanders (12-3) jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the fourth set but Bell pulled together when Hector Ortega made three consecutive kills.

In Thursday’s other quarterfinal matches:

Venice d. Roosevelt--Pat Lennon had nine kills and seven blocks as Venice knocked off Roosevelt, 15-10, 15-10, 16-14, in a 4-A Division match.

In 3-A matches, Marshall defeated Gardena, 15-2, 15-10, 15-3; Sylmar edged Belmont, 14-16, 13-15, 15-7, 15-13, 15-8; and Van Nuys knocked off Jefferson 15-10, 7-15, 15-6, 15-11.

In Tuesday’s first-round matches:

Marshall d. North Hollywood--The Marshall boys’ team needed only 46 minutes to defeat North Hollywood 15-10, 15-4, and 15-2.

Joe Mahan had 15 kills and 10 blocks, including eight kills and two blocks in the final match.

“This is the first time they’ve played as a unit in a playoff,” said Marshall Coach Bob Avila.

Jefferson d. Eagle Rock--The Democrats controlled the nets to defeat Eagle Rock, 15-9, 9-15, 15-4, 15-12, in a 3-A Division match.

Belmont d. Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies--The Sentinels won easily, 15-12, 15-8, 15-9 in a 3-A Division match.

Bell d. Birmingham--Rudy Flores had 14 kills and six blocks to the lead the Eagles to a 15-10, 15-6, 15-2, in a 4-A Division match.