Digging Deep, Westlake Nears Marmonte Title

Westlake High doesn’t want to share this one.

With a 15-13, 15-8, 15-1 girls’ volleyball victory over Royal High, the Warriors basically secured what they have been eyeing for a long time.

A Marmonte League title, minus the co-championship tag.

Westlake won a share of titles in 1985 and 1995, but this time, it’s looking like. . . .

“It’s a huge step,” outside hitter Courtney Miller said. “We’ve been training for it all year.”

The Warriors (9-0 overall and in league) have yet to drop a game in league play this season and hold a two-game lead over Royal with five matches remaining.

Westlake Coach Chris Rundle, who went through an ordeal Monday night when the Calabasas brushfire charred trees near a house she owns, realized why her team won.

“The difference was the digs,” she said.

A defense that refused to let volleyballs hit the floor and a tough outside attack were hallmarks for the Warriors.

After three-year-old Allison Guzman, the youngest Royal fan around, sang the national anthem, it was the Highlanders (8-3, 7-2) who looked sharp.

Royal took an 11-5 lead on precise passing, strong blocking and six kills from Courtney Guerra, playing her first game at outside hitter.

But Westlake, top-ranked in Division II-A of the Southern Section, was steadier on its serve--Royal had seven service errors in the first game--and gradually wore down Royal from the outside.

The Warriors kept up the pressure in the second and third games and Miller, who had only one kill in the first game, began to deliver. She finished with 13 kills.

Royal was swept by Westlake in a league match earlier this season and also lost to Westlake in the championship match of the Royal tournament, so the Highlanders made several changes this time.

In addition to unveiling a refined offense, moving Guerra to the outside and Danielle Upmeyer to opposite, the Highlanders increased the intensity at practice and spent more time on the “Eye of the Tiger” drill--where the starters must finish a hypothetical match they are leading, 12-9.

The Highlanders also had a two-hour meeting Monday night, but after their six-point lead in the first game, the Highlanders and consistency never crossed.

“We can play at that level in spurts,” Royal Coach Bob Ferguson said. “Westlake can play at that level long-term.”