Royal Flush Even Without Ace, Downs Westlake

There were a couple of plot twists.

Sprains, if you will.

Royal High star Joe Olsen did not play Wednesday night with his sprained ankle, but Westlake standout Jason Lee played with his.

The final twist, however, belonged to Royal, which defeated Westlake, 15-10, 15-7, 15-7, in a Marmonte League match at Westlake.

Defense did it.

When the Highlanders (12-1, 11-0 in league play) weren’t digging balls off the floor, they were blocking Westlake (8-3, 8-3) at the net.

“That’s our team philosophy,” said Jim Bonelli, who had 11 kills. “If we don’t get dirty, we’re not going to win games.”

Garrett Herzer filled in nicely for Olsen, who is expected to be out another week because of his left ankle injury, the result of a practice drill.

Herzer threw down six kills, all from the quick set.

The Highlanders received at least six kills from five players.

“Chemistry,” Bonelli said. “We’re like a family. Even though Joe went down, he still cheered from the bench.”

Westlake was swept by Royal last month but looked lively while taking a 9-8 lead in the first game this time.

With or without Olsen, the Highlanders, No. 7 in the Southern Section Division I rankings, were too strong.

Three Royal aces, two from Kevin Schommer, ended the game.

The Highlanders got five kills from Schommer in the second game and turned to their block in the third game.

They had seven solo blocks, four by Ryan Denihan, and ran out to an 11-0 lead.

Trailing, 13-1, Westlake ran off six consecutive points before Royal put it away on a kill by Marc Chaffee, who had 10 kills.

“They’re a hard-working team,” said Lee, who sprained his right ankle playing pickup basketball, but felt no pain and finished with 15 kills.

Assuming the Highlanders remain undefeated in league play, they will face Thousand Oaks in a probable battle for the Marmonte title May 3.

Not so fast.

“That game does not matter,” said Coach Bob Ferguson, whose Highlanders beat Thousand Oaks in four games earlier. “We have two games and a tournament until then. We have too much going on before that.”