LAS FLORES – Consistency can be an elusive quality in sports at any level.
Aliso Niguel’s girls volleyball team achieved that quality Tuesday in its sweep of Tesoro in South Coast League play at Tesoro High.
The Wolverines defeated the Titans 25-21, 25-16 and 25-14. Aliso Niguel is 6-7 overall and 1-1 in league. Tesoro, which played without two starters, one sick and the other ill, is 9-10 overall and 1-2 in league.
On Tuesday when Aliso Niguel got a late lead the Wolverines grew it. If they fell behind it was only by a point or two, and they quickly rallied to regain the lead. Unforced errors were minimal, passing was good and setting was fine and kill opportunities rarely missed.
“We’ve been waiting for this,” said Aliso Niguel coach Richelle Whiting. “We’ve been winning sets, controlling sets and then all of a sudden at 16, 17 (points) something kicks in. It was really good to see it all come together.”
Aliso Niguel’s sub-.500 overall record might not be an accurate indicator. The Wolverines, who have been in and out of the Orange County top 10, have losses to county top 10 teams like No. 4 JSerra and No. 7 Santa Margarita and lost its league opener last week to No. 8 Dana Hills which is among the county’s more-improved teams from last season to this season.
Every Wolverine did something that contributed to the sweep. Senior hitters Rian and Riley Barr, twins, and middle blocker Jaslene Massey, and setter Gabriella Green provided many of the highlights.
Tesoro, No. 9 in the county rankings, stayed in the sets with junior outside hitter Kyla Untalan supplying several kills especially in the first set.
Rian Barr said the Wolverines have emphasized on-court communication and attention to detail more than ever recently.
“I thought our team was really connected,” she said. “We were always talking during the whole game. We never lot trust in each other and we were really focused on each point.”
Riley Barr said, “Our coach has…
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