Tustin Sweeps Into Division II Final

Tustin swept past another opponent in the Southern Section Division II volleyball playoffs, defeating fourth-seeded Lakewood, 15-2, 15-9, 15-6, in a semifinal match Wednesday night.

The top-seeded Tillers (19-1) have not dropped a game on their road to the final, where they will face third-seeded Calvary Chapel at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Cerritos College.

Lakewood (15-3) was unable to stop Donnie Rafter and Curtis Jackson, who combined for 38 kills, 14 more than the entire Lakewood team combined.

“Donnie and Curtis are our guys this year,” Tustin Coach Ken Koci said. “They are the heart and soul of this team.”

Tustin also had a height advantage, picking up 11 blocks to two for Lakewood.

“That [our height] had its advantages,” Koci said. “But everybody on the team played a great ball control game tonight. It’s taken us a lot of hard work to get this far.”

Tustin, who won the match in a little more than an hour, cruised through Game 1, allowing only two Lakewood points on unforced errors.

In the second game, Tustin struggled briefly as Lakewood took a 9-6 lead and the momentum on seven unforced errors by the Tillers. Koci brought in junior Brandon Dove to serve for Luke Loveless and Dove served five consecutive points with two aces, giving Tustin an 11-9 lead and control of the game. Dove finished off the Lancers, serving out the final two points of the game.

“Dove played a great game in the backcourt,” said Koci, who starts six seniors. “It’s nice to see we have prospects for next year.”

In the final game of the match, Tustin jumped to a 12-1 lead, before putting away the Lancers, 15-6. When Lakewood was able to get the ball past the Tillers’ front line, the back row was there making diving saves and digs to keep the rally going.

Tustin is making its third consecutive appearance in the Southern Section playoffs under Koci. The Tillers, who played in Division I the previous two years, were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs both years. This season, playing in Division II, they have dominated the competition.

“It’s nice to finally be in a league and a division where we can shine,” Koci said. “This is a great group of kids and they deserve this. We all knew what our goal was and now we are only one step away.”