Valencia Takes Long Way to Final

You’d think Valencia High volleyball fans would have learned by now, but Coach Kevin Kornegay had to admonish a few of them Thursday morning.

Some fans left Valencia’s semifinal playoff match a little early Wednesday night, when the Vikings fell behind in games, 2-1, against Santa Monica before rallying for another five-game victory.

It was the Vikings’ third consecutive come-from-behind victory in the playoffs, and they play Long Beach Jordan for the Southern Section Division I championship tonight at Cypress College at 7.

Valencia was thrilled with winning its first Foothill League title in the program’s six-year history and was happy-go-lucky with an easy first-round victory over Peninsula.

Then the Vikings were forced to rally against Highland in the second roundand against No. 2-seeded Capistrano Valley in the quarterfinals.

Kornegay had some words of wisdom for a few fans, including some faculty members, who headed for the exits early Wednesday.

“If you guys would have seen our other matches, you would have known to stick around,” he said. “It’s common territory for us.”

Valencia (30-4) can expect another battle against No. 4-seeded Jordan, which handled Highland with ease in a nonleague match.

Outside hitters Chris Haigh (28 kills against Santa Monica) and Corey Feldt (22 kills) will again have to be at their best for the Vikings.

Jordan (16-1) is making its first appearance in a section final, having never before advanced past the quarterfinals.

For Valencia, one thing is certain.

“If it goes five games, we’ve been there,” Kornegay said.

Will the road to revenge continue for Royal?

The Highlanders play Mira Costa in the Division II final at 4 p.m. today at Cypress College.

The Highlanders (26-4) lost in four games to top-seeded Mira Costa in a nonleague match, but they’ve avenged other losses in the playoffs.

Royal swept Huntington Beach Marina in the quarterfinals after losing to the Vikings in the Santa Barbara tournament. And the Highlanders defeated Loyola in four games in the semifinals Wednesday after losing to the Cubs in four during the regular season.

Mira Costa has two of the top middle blockers in Southern California, 6-foot-8 Pat Nihipali and 6-7 Chris Ahlfeld, both juniors.

Royal counters with David Russell a 6-6 middle blocker who has signed with UCLA. He had 43 kills in a second-round match against Canyon, a match-high 16 kills against Marina and 28 against Loyola.