SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS : Renewed Torrance Plays No. 1 Sea Kings

Torrance High has survived a controversial coaching change and is ready to challenge Corona del Mar, the nation’s top-ranked girls’ volleyball team.

The Sea Kings (21-0), No. 1 in USA Today’s national rankings, play fifth-seeded Torrance in a Southern California Regional semifinal match at 7 tonight at Corona del Mar.

Pete Field resigned as Torrance coach in October after allegations that he was too stern. Parents had pressured school officials to confront Field, who allegedly had scolded a player, grabbed her arm and told her to leave practice.

John Radcliffe, the school’s activities director, replaced Field as coach, and Torrance hasn’t lost a game under the new coach, winning 58 in a row.

Torrance (22-1) swept South Torrance in the Southern Section Division III finals last Saturday. Corona del Mar swept Laguna Beach in the Division I final.

Torrance chose to move up to Division I for the regional playoffs, hoping to get a shot at Corona del Mar.

Torrance swept a first-round match at Bakersfield last Tuesday. Senior outside hitter Kim Blankinship leads the Tartars, who are trying for their first State title.

Sunny Hills, runner-up to Torrance Bishop Montgomery in the Southern Section Division II, plays at top-seeded Bakersfield Highland (24-5) in a semifinal match.

In Division III, top-seeded Newport Harbor (16-4) plays host to fifth-seeded Atascadero (12-6) in a 6 p.m. match. The Sailors are led by sophomore outside hitter Misty May and freshman setter Jenny Hecker.

If Corona del Mar and Newport Harbor both win, the teams will play a double-header Tuesday at the Corona del Mar gym, Sailor Athletic Director Eric Tweit said. Newport Harbor would play at 5 p.m., followed by the Corona del Mar match.

The defending State Division V champion, top-seeded Capistrano Valley Christian (19-0), plays host to fourth-seeded Reedley Immanuel (21-4) at 7 tonight. Kathleen Bunce, who had 13 aces in a sweep of La Jolla Bishop’s School in the first round, and Karen Benkovsky lead Capistrano Valley Christian. Seventh-seeded Calvary Chapel (16-2) was one of only three teams to win first-round matches on the road, sweeping El Cajon Christian. The Eagles play at Los Angeles Brentwood at 7 tonight.

Courtney Owens and Sara Roberts are the Eagles’ leading hitters.