IRVINE – It seemed like an odd timeout when Laguna Beach High Coach Lance Stewart wanted to talk to his team early in the fourth set.
Stewart shouted at his Breakers, demanding them to play with some emotion. They eventually responded and scored an emotional 25-17, 18-25, 20-25, 25-22, 15-8 win over Francis Parker of San Diego to capture their third straight CIF Southern California Regional Division III title Saturday at Irvine Valley College.
The score was tied, 3-3, in the fourth set when Stewart called that timeout. They later trailed, 14-11, and Stewart had to call another timeout. It almost looked like Laguna was done, trailing 17-12. But the Breakers (23-11) went on a 7-1 run to get back in the game and went on to win, 25-22.
They used defense and the hot hand of Robbie McKnight to stay in control, as they led throughout the fifth set.