Harvard-Westlake Moves Forward, Routs Yosemite

It was a nice pick-me-up, akin to a shot of espresso at the local coffeehouse.

In need of a boost, Harvard-Westlake High found one, drubbing Oakhurst Yosemite, 15-5, 15-6, 15-10, in a first-round match of the Southern regional in the girls’ volleyball state playoffs Tuesday at Harvard-Westlake.

The team’s psyche needed repair after a four-game loss to Bishop Montgomery on Friday in the Southern Section Division III-AA championship.

“It brought back our spirits,” outside hitter Karalyn Kuchenbecker said. Harvard-Westlake (22-6) had little trouble with Yosemite (15-8), which lost to Tollhouse Sierra in the Central Section Division III championship.

The Wolverines had 10 aces and were blocked only once by Yosemite, which started four sophomores.

Intensity rarely made an appearance, with the exception of the third game.

Harvard-Westlake held a 10-1 lead when it sent several starters to the bench to make way for reserves. But Yosemite clawed back to within 12-10, leading to the return of some starters.

Enter outside hitter Ashley Julian. Enter middle blocker Courtney Schultz. Enter Harvard-Westlake into the next round of the playoffs.

Julian immediately delivered a kill and Schultz pounded down three, including the match-winner.

Harvard-Westlake then became cheerleader, hoping Corona del Mar would defeat University High of San Diego in a first-round match.

If University had won, Harvard-Westlake would have had to travel to San Diego for a Southern regional semifinal Saturday.

If Corona del Mar had won, Harvard-Westlake would stay home on Saturday, hosting the Sea Queens. Another reason for the pompoms: Harvard-Westlake already defeated Corona del Mar twice this season, including a four-game victory in the Southern Section Division III-AA semifinals last Tuesday.

“I want to be here Saturday,” said Coach Jess Quiroz of Harvard-Westlake. “I can’t see myself spending the day driving to San Diego. But if it happens, it happens.”

It didn’t.

Corona del Mar swept University, 15-13, 15-6, 15-3.

Harvard-Westlake hosts Corona del Mar at 7 p.m. on Saturday. The winner likely plays top-seeded Bishop Montgomery next Tuesday in the regional championship.

Schultz finished with 10 kills and Kuchenbecker added six kills, including four in the third game that served notice of her return from last week’s disappointment.

And the team’s, too.