Capistrano Valley Just Hangs On

The San Clemente boys’ volleyball team came within one point of upsetting Capistrano Valley, the county’s top-ranked team, Tuesday in a South Coast League match at Capistrano Valley.

Capistrano Valley wound up winning, 7-15, 7-15, 15-6, 15-5, 17-15.

San Clemente Coach Mike Hurlbut missed the match to be with his wife, Dana, who gave birth to a son. Assistant coach Rob O’Rear took over the team.

San Clemente led, 12-2, in the fifth game before Capistrano Valley went on an 8-2 run to make it 14-10. The Cougars tied it, 14-14, and again, 15-15. A solo block by Ryan Thurlow--who was playing his first full match since recovering from spinal meningitis last month--gave Capistrano Valley the next point. The Cougars won after Brandon Taliaferro hit one long.

Taliaferro, a first-team All-Southern Section Division I selection last season, didn’t play the first game after missing practice because of a field trip.

“He still abused us. He’s amazing. He’s like a man playing with a bunch of boys,” said Capistrano Valley Coach Darren Utterback.

Capistrano Valley improved to 12-1, 7-0 in league. San Clemente, No. 6 in the county, is 9-4, 5-2.