Esperanza Beats Fountain Valley

Host Esperanza received key performances from some newcomers and their seniors carried the rest of the load to help the Aztecs defeat Fountain Valley, the fifth-ranked team in Orange County, 15-10, 15-9, 9-15, 16-14, Tuesday in a Sunset League boys’ volleyball match.

Senior Drew Gullixson had 22 kills and six blocks, including three in the decisive fourth game, senior Bret Beeding had 22 kills and four blocks and setter Steve Hastings had 63 assists to pace unranked Esperanza (7-3, 3-1 in league), which climbed into second place in league behind top-ranked Marina.

Sophomore middle blocker Ryan Grunau (nine blocks), who filled in for injured starter Brandon Fiely (sprained ankle), put away an overpass for a kill to give the Aztecs a match point at 15-14. Then an ace by Esperanza’s Jim Deragisch (11 kills, eight blocks) started the celebration.

“Ryan did a nice job and so did sophomore Cory Capra in the back row,” Esperanza Coach Kurt Kersten said. “Neither has a lot of varsity experience but they stepped up tonight.

“But when we lost that lead in the last game, I was just trying to keep my composure. Our guys just like to make it exciting, I guess.”

Esperanza led 13-6 in Game 4 before Fountain Valley (6-3, 3-2) used four blocks to help it score eight consecutive points to get a game point at 14-13.

“But we didn’t close it out,” Fountain Valley Coach Tim Johnson said. “We were a little overconfident and we didn’t execute at the crucial times.”

Fountain Valley junior Nate Hagstrom (14 kills) had a swing at game point, but he put his spike from the back row into the net for an Esperanza side out. Then Deragisch served for three consecutive points.

Senior Tommy Plass had 22 kills and seven blocks and Dana Rubarth had 10 blocks for Fountain Valley.