Santa Margarita Rallies to Win

Two points away from defeat, Santa Margarita rallied to defeat Corona del Mar in boys’ volleyball, 6-15, 11-15, 15-13, 15-12, 15-9, Tuesday at Corona del Mar High.

“Corona del Mar played great defense, we just had to keep chipping away,” said Santa Margarita Coach Eddie Rapp, whose team won its Sea View League opener.

“I think we got a little discouraged from their defensive play and how good it was. But we just hung tough and the guys started having a little more fun out there.”

Senior Marcus Skacel, who had 33 kills and 33 digs, led the Eagles (5-1, 1-0) on offense and defense. But Corona del Mar’s block gave Skacel trouble early in the match. Dennis Alshuler and Kevin Hansen rejected Skacel’s shots three times in the first game, the final block stretching the Sea Kings’ lead to 11-3.

“Their block is huge, especially their middles,” Skacel said. “I think it’s the first time we’ve played a team where their middles can get outside.”

Santa Margarita’s passing problems continued into the second game, which the Sea Kings’ Greg Coon ended with a service ace.

Corona del Mar softened in the third game, giving up the first six points before charging back to take a 13-12 lead on Coon’s spike. But the Sea Kings had three consecutive hitting errors to lose the game and momentum.

Santa Margarita ground out a victory in the fourth game. After the Eagles tied the score, 12-12, on a kill by Skacel, they went ahead on two Sea King hitting errors and won the game on Matt Zierhut’s ace.

The Eagles kept the momentum in fifth game, surging to leads of 9-4 and 13-7 before Skacel reeled off three consecutive kills to win the match.