Shadowlands

Looking back, 5 years ago this week...

The unseeded Newport Harbor High girls volleyball team stuns

top-seeded and previously unbeaten Huntington Beach in five games in the

CIF Southern Section Division I quarterfinals. It takes three hours for

the Sailors to defeat Huntington Beach, the No. 1 team in the nation and

state. Jennifer Carey, Laura Wilson and Joanna Fielder show up big-time

with great blocking in the fourth game of the 15-13, 5-15, 8-15, 15-13, 15-6 marathon-like victory. Mira Costa will end Harbor’s CIF playoff run

later in the week with a 15-6, 15-12, 14-16, 15-11 loss in the

semifinals.

Corona del Mar’s girls tennis team loses 10-8 to Santa Barbara in the

semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs. CdM senior

Megan Wachtler and Santa Barbara’s Pilar Montgomery do battle. The Santa

Barbara standout edges Wachtler, 7-5. The singles match features the No.

1, Wachtler, versus No. 2, Montgomery.

The Costa Mesa boys water polo team advances to the CIF Southern

Section Division II final with a 9-6 victory over Esperanza. Costa Mesa

breaks away from a 6-6 tie in the fourth quarter with goals by Ryan

Dandy, Sean Hylton and Robert Grayeli.

CdM’s football team shatters four school records and ties another,

scoring a season-high 49-28 victory over Brea Olinda in the first round

of the CIF Division V playoffs. Josh Walz establishes school records for

single-season total offense (1,976 yards) and single-game total offense

with 335 yards. Running back Tom O’Meara runs for 142 yards and a

touchdown on 23 carries.

Estancia’s football team just misses its chance to upset La Mirada in

a 16-14 loss in the second round of the CIF Division VIII playoffs. The

Eagles’ Chris Felix, who runs for 130 yards on 11 carries, bursts for a

66-yard touchdown. Jeff Perry scores on a 1-yard touchdown with 4:46

remaining, but La Mirada holds off Estancia.

Looking back, 10 years ago this week...

Corona del Mar High, two-time defending CIF 4-A girls tennis

champions, roll to a 13-5 win on the road over Dana Hills in semifinal

action. The Sea Kings head to the finals to defend their crown with

leaders Keri Phebus, the nation’s top-ranked player, Lindsey Goldstein

and Kristen Pollock.

Kristen Shyrock and Kirsten McFarland lead the CdM girls cross country

team to fourth place in the CIF Division III finals. Shyrock posts a

21:12 and McFarland a 21:36. Heather Bray and Mollie Flint follow close

behind with a 21:48 and 21:49, respectively.

CdM’s girls volleyball team defeats St. Joseph of Lakewood, 15-3,

15-13, 13-15, 15-11 in the CIF 5-A semifinals. Lara Carlsen and Tracy

Schriber finish with a match-high 19 kills each. Carlsen also finishes

with nine blocks and three assists.

Newport Harbor’s football team scores a 27-20 triumph over San Dimas

in the first round of the CIF Division VI playoffs. Running backs Russell

Olshefski and Billy Gabriel smash the Saints with 172 yards and two

touchdowns combined as they take their marks behind an offensive line

featuring Randy Cicero, Neil Johnson, Marc Barton, Chuck Casella and Beau

Ralphs.

Costa Mesa’s boys water polo team reaches the CIF 2-A final with a

thrilling 14-13 overtime victory over Dos Pueblos. Corey Delahunt and

Julian Popov give the Mustangs a 14-12 lead in the three-minute overtime.

Delahunt and J.R. Porter score three goals each.

Charlie Brande is beaming as his former CdM girls volleyball team wins

its first CIF sectional volleyball title since 1978, 15-12, 15-9, 15-9

over Mira Costa. The Sea Kings avenge their loss to Mira Costa from the

previous year. Lara Carlsen leads with 18 kills. Brande was relieved of

his duties prior to the beginning of the season. CdM Coach Dale

Flickinger credits Brande for the championship.