Royal’s Fast Start Becomes Net Loss

CYPRESS — Looks like the wait will continue for another year.

Royal High, trying to become the first area boys’ volleyball team in 24 years to win a Southern Section title in the highest division, came up empty-handed Saturday at Cypress College.

Esperanza defeated the second-seeded Highlanders, 6-15, 15-5, 16-14, 15-13, to win the Division I championship.

Loaded with four college-bound players, fourth-seeded Esperanza (19-1) was too much for Royal (20-1), especially in the crucial third game.

With the match tied, 1-1, the Highlanders led, 10-6, trailed, 12-11, and pulled into a 12-12 tie.

Then they got tangled up in the net.

Three times, a Royal player was called for touching the net. Even worse for the Highlanders, all three instances occurred when they had a chance to score a point.

Down, 14-12, Royal fought off game point and gained another tie, 14-14.

But two blocks by BYU-bound Jon Alleman gave the 48-minute game, which featured two yellow cards to each team, to the Aztecs.

“We probably were in the net, but it’s hard to have calls like that at the end,” said Royal opposite hitter Nick Flanagan, who had 16 kills.

“But, hey, we had just as many calls go our way, just not in as important of a situation.”

Alleman played despite a pulled left hamstring he suffered in Wednesday’s semifinal victory over Mira Costa. He had 33 kills and 22 errors.

It appeared the Highlanders rebounded in the fourth game, taking leads of 4-1 and 12-9.

But back came Esperanza.

Middle blocker Kyle Anderson, who has committed to UC Irvine, delivered seven of his 14 kills for the Aztecs, who went on a 5-0 run for a 14-12 lead.

The match ended on a kill by Alleman.

“We haven’t seen a player like (Alleman) all year long,” Royal Coach Bob Ferguson said. “He was dynamic. He pulled plays out of the hat time and time again.”

The match began 46 minutes late because the Division III championship, won by Santa Ynez, took more than three hours.

Nonetheless, Royal appeared ready.

The Highlanders led, 9-6, in the first game and used their block to put it away. Flanagan had two blocks and David Clark added one as Royal won the last six points.

Just as quickly, however, the defense at the net disappeared.

Esperanza streaked to an 8-2 lead in the second game and tied the match as Royal went the entire game without a block.

Marc Chaffee had a career-high 22 kills for the Highlanders, who were going for their fifth sectional championship.

“It happens,” said Royal setter John Baxter, who has committed to Cal State Northridge. “They beat us. It’s sad because we wanted it, but we’re not making any excuses.”

The Highlanders won third-tier titles in 1989 and 1990, and second-tier titles in 1992 and 1994.

The teams had met in the championship before.

In 1992, the Highlanders beat Esperanza in five games for what was then the 3-A title.

But in 1993, behind future UCLA All-American Paul Nihipali, who was present Saturday, the Aztecs swept Royal for the Division II title.