Esperanza Gets Fresh Start With Victory

Esperanza didn’t finish the regular season the way it wanted to, but the Aztecs made an emphatic statement with a 15-4, 15-11, 15-11 victory over San Clemente in a Southern Section Division I wild-card playoff match Wednesday at Esperanza High.

Senior outside hitter Dusty Russell had 14 kills and senior middle blocker Phil Peterson had 12 kills and five blocks for Esperanza (15-2), which advanced to play at Pacific Coast League champion University in the first round Friday.

Esperanza finished the regular season by losing a Sunset League championship showdown to Marina in three games before scrambling to hold off Fountain Valley in five games to help clinch a home match for Wednesday.

“I wasn’t really worried about us heading into the playoffs,” Russell said. “I knew it was just a phase.”

Said Esperanza Coach Kurt Kersten: “I told the guys that no one will remember that we lost to Marina twice if we go on and win CIF.”

Esperanza looked focused, winning the first game in 15 minutes as San Clemente struggled.

Esperanza had four blocks in the first game and San Clemente committed nine hitting errors. Esperanza’s Troy Ponto (seven blocks), Pat Nihipali (three blocks) and Drew Gullixson (three blocks) gave San Clemente’s hitters problems throughout the match.

San Clemente made it interesting in the third game, getting a spark from reserve setter Dan Talcott, who helped the Tritons pull to within 10-9. But Peterson had two kills and a block to help the Aztecs push ahead, 14-9, then Esperanza won match point on a block by Peterson and setter Scott Winant.

Nick Gardner had 10 kills and Spencer Bemus added nine to lead San Clemente (10-6).