San Clemente Survives a Scare in Semifinals

Orange County’s only hope was down to its last gasp, but San Clemente never stopped breathing.

Unseeded San Clemente calmly swept aside two match points in the fourth game against second-seeded Manhattan Beach Mira Costa, then kept the momentum to win the decisive fifth game, 15-11, sending San Clemente to its first Southern Section boys’ volleyball championship match in 14 years.

The Tritons were led by outside hitter Gabe Gardner, who had 39 kills and nine blocks, and defeated the Mustangs, 15-11, 13-15, 10-15, 18-16, 15-11, in a three-hour Division I semifinal match Wednesday at San Clemente High.

San Clemente (17-5) last appeared in a Southern Section final in 1981, but the Tritons lost to rival Laguna Beach. San Clemente will face top-seeded Los Angeles Loyola at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Cypress College, attempting to win its second championship. The Tritons won their only title in 1976.

“What was it, 14-12 in Game 4?” San Clemente Coach Mike Hurlbut said. “We were staring at defeat, but this team never gave up.”

San Clemente’s improbable victory kept a streak alive. An Orange County team has appeared in the section major division boys’ volleyball final for 20 consecutive seasons, but that streak appeared to be in jeopardy.

Mira Costa (19-3) displayed a deeper, more balanced attack, taking control with victories in games 2 and 3 behind the play of its juniors--middle blocker John Timmer (24 kills), 6-foot-10 outside hitter Adam Naeve (19 kills), 6-6 middle blocker Kevin Collins (15 kills and six blocks) and setter Nick Schneider (65 assists).

The Mustangs led, 9-5, in the fourth game, then pushed the Tritons to the brink of elimination by making it, 14-12.

But Gardner, a senior who will play at USC next season, delivered with a side out by spiking from the back row. Two more kills by Gardner drew San Clemente even, 14-14.

Mira Costa pushed to gain another match point at 16-15, but Gardner, who had 10 kills in the fourth game, spiked successfully again for another side out. The Tritons eventually outlasted the Mustangs, winning the game, 18-16, when Timmer spiked into the net.

In the fifth game, San Clemente senior Corin Bemus had six kills and three blocks to give Gardner some help. Bemus finished with 25 kills and five blocks and setter Brandon Taliaferro, playing in only his third match since missing six weeks because of a shoulder injury, had 64 assists five blocks and 21 digs.