Woodbridge Shows Too Little, Too Late

IRVINE — The Woodbridge High School volleyball team’s desperation rally in the fourth game fell just short as San Marcos eliminated the Warriors in the Southern Section 4-A division playoffs Wednesday night at Irvine High.

Top-seeded San Marcos defeated Woodbridge, 15-8, 4-15, 15-7, 17-15, to advance to the championship game for the first time since 1982. San Marcos (17-1) will meet Newport Harbor (16-3) in the title game Saturday at Cerritos College.

Woodbridge, which won the Sea View League championship but forfeited the title because of an ineligible player, finished 14-5.

San Marcos appeared to have the fourth game and match neatly tucked away when it opened a commanding 10-3 lead. But Woodbridge’s outside hitting tandem of Todd Beebe and Krister Olsson led a furious rally that rattled San Marcos.

Woodbridge managed to tie the score, 13-13, and then took a 14-13 lead when middle blocker Randy Gilbert blocked an attempted spike by San Marcos. The teams were tied, 15-15, when San Marcos’ Clay Holdren spiked successfully.

The game and match abruptly ended when Woodbridge was cited for going into the net, giving San Marcos a 17-15 win.

“We played with heart, but we came back too late,” said Rich Polk, Woodbridge’s rookie coach. “We spotted them four or five points in every game and made too many unforced hitting errors. I have no explanation for that.”

San Marcos took advantage of Woodbridge’s numerous hitting errors in the first game to gain a 15-8 victory. Holdren and Gabe Salvador repeatedly burned Woodbridge with strong spikes off the setting of Todd Rogers.

Rogers was the difference in the match, executing perfect cross court sets to left-handed hitter Jason Donnelly and Salvador or quick setting Holdren for kills. Rogers, who has signed with UC Santa Barbara, is generally regarded as the top setter in the Southern Section.

“He’s the best setter we’ve faced this year,” said Polk. “He sets the ball to the right player in the right situation. What more could you ask for?”

San Marcos’ only poor play came in the second game when Woodbridge breezed to an 11-point victory. Beebe, usually Woodbridge’s most consistent player, was unstoppable in the game but otherwise was quiet most of the match.

Afterward, San Marcos Coach Jon Lee said he was impressed with Woodbridge’s comeback and character.

“They showed great fighting spirit,” Lee said. “We yielded to their threat at the end of the fourth game, and that was the first time we’ve displayed that weakness all year.”