Blomquist Finds Good After Bad

Playing in her first tournament since the death of her mother last month, Krista Blomquist and partner Danalee Bragado upset eighth-seeded Gail Castro and Gayle Stammer, 15-9, Friday in the second round of the Women’s Professional Volleyball Assn. Evian National Championships at the Huntington Beach Pier.

Play today will begin at 8 a.m., and Blomquist and Bragado, seeded ninth, will play top-seeded Barbra Fontana Harris and Linda Hanley in the championship bracket quarterfinals at 10 a.m.

Blomquist’s mother, Daryl, 69, died July 26 after a freak swimming accident near her home in Branford, Conn.

“You don’t want to ever feel sorry for yourself, but I thought, ‘Wow, I’ve been through a lot,’ ” she said.

The rest of the seeded teams advanced according to form. Second-seeded Nancy Reno and Karolyn Kirby won their first two matches and will play Karrie Poppinga and Deb Richardson in the championship bracket quarterfinals; third-seeded Lisa Arce and Holly McPeak also won two matches and will play Elaine Roque and Dennie Shupryt-Knoop.