Royal Seeking to Avenge Loyola Loss

Four teams left, two are seeking revenge and two are just happy to still be around for the Southern Section boys’ volleyball semifinals tonight.

Royal High travels to Loyola for a Division II match tonight that should be hotly contested.

Loyola won in four games in a nonleague match, but Royal middle blocker David Russell, who has signed with UCLA, has been on fire, including a 43-kill performance against Canyon in the second round.

If the Highlanders (25-4) win, it could set them up for another rematch, this time in the championship Saturday against Mira Costa, a four-game winner in a nonleague match against Royal.

Corona del Mar might be the wrong team in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Sea Kings aren’t necessarily being targeted by Village Christian in a Division IV semifinal tonight at Glendale College. Rather, the Crusaders are merely trying to get past their stumbling block last season--they lost a five-game match against Chaminade in a Division III semifinal.

The Crusaders (26-2) will rely on Ken Benesh, who has committed to Cal State Northridge, and Nick Manghelli, who has committed to Rutgers.

Valencia hopes to pull off another surprise in Division I.

The Vikings (29-4) rallied to beat Highland in the second round, surprised No. 2-seeded Capistrano Valley in the quarterfinals and could advance to the title match with a victory tonight against No. 3-seeded Santa Monica at Hart High.

In Division III, Moorpark (14-5) faltered after a fast start but has come alive in the playoffs with an upset of No. 3-seeded San Marcos in the quarterfinals.

The Musketeers, who travel to Santa Margarita tonight, will go as far as the arm of outside hitter Cary Hanson can carry them.

All semifinals are at 7.