Esperanza Turns Up the Heat

Esperanza, ranked fourth in Orange County, moved into a tie for first in the Sunset League with a convincing victory over seventh-ranked Huntington Beach, 15-10, 15-2, 1-15, 15-9, Tuesday at Esperanza High.

Setter Toni Anderson, who has committed to USC, had 39 assists, six kills, five blocks and 11 digs to lead Esperanza (12-1, 6-1 in league). The Aztecs avenged their only best-of-five loss, which came againstthe Oilers (11-4, 6-1) in their first league meeting.

Outside hitters Kristy Chester had 12 kills and Kristen Thompson added 11 in Esperanza’s balanced attack. Middle blocker Laura St. John had nine kills and six blocks for the Aztecs.

“We blocked a little better tonight,” said Esperanza Coach Kurt Kersten, whose team had 11 blocks to four for Huntington Beach. “The kids were pretty fired up for this one.”

Esperanza was sharp in the first two games and seized control with a 15-2 rout in Game 2.

But Huntington Beach finally made some noise in Game 3 with Kelly Brockman, who had only three kills in the first two games, notching three kills and a block in one stretch to help the Oilers move ahead, 13-1, before they closed it out.

Marisa Aston’s ace gave Huntington Beach a 9-8 lead in Game 4 and the Oilers looked ready to force a fifth game. But they didn’t score again.

Some poor passing helped Esperanza score three consecutive points to move ahead, 11-9, then a block by St. John and Anderson made it 12-9.

After St. John spiked for a side out, she served out the match with Chester putting one away from the left side on the Aztecs’ first match point.