Outside hitter Cora Loomer said she’s known a lot of her teammates on the all-senior San Marcos girls volleyball teams since pre-school and elementary school days.
That’s how close this group of players is, and a big reason they rolled through Channel League competition this season.
The Royals clinched their second straight outright league title Thursday on Senior Night, dominating second-place Ventura, 25-10, 25-16, 25-18, at the Thunderhut.
With one match remaining, San Marcos is now 13-0 in league (24-6 overall) while Ventura is 11-2 (16-9).
After a ceremony to honor its squad of 15 seniors, San Marcos came out on fire against a Cougar squad that entered the match with a chance to tie for first place. The Royals touched practically every Ventura attack and converted those plays into points.
“I’m glad,” raved San Marcos coach Erica Downing of the impressive defensive performance. “And you know what’s the best part? They’re implementing what we’re doing in practice and they’re understanding and learning from the beginning of the season until now. It’s so rewarding for the coaching staff to be able to see them do it in a game versus in practice.”
Loomer blasted three of her match-high 14 kills and had a block to lead the charge in the first set. Middle Jordan Schmoller recorded two kills and a stuff and Charlotte Hastings added two kills and a service ace.
The onslaught continued in the second set. The final point of the set epitomized the team’s commitment of playing all out: players scrambled all over the court to keep the ball in play before setter Lila Westmacott fed middle Sam Fallon for a kill to end the set.
Fallon had 10 kills, Schmoller put down seven and Reese Paskin had six kills in a balanced attack orchestrated by Westmacott, who dished out 32 assists and had five digs. Alina Stapf picks up seven digs.
Ventura was led by Gig Scaglia with 11 kills.
In the third set, Ventura went on a three-point run to take its first lead, 14-13. The Royals got the momentum back on a thundering straight-down kill by Loomer.
“That was fun because I was blocked the point before and I wanted a little redemption,” said Loomer of her boomer of a hit.
There was no stopping the Royals after that as five different players contributed to a 9-0 run en route to capturing another title.
“We’ve all been friends forever, so it’s so special having this team,” said Loomer, who has committed to UCLA for beach volleyball. “Everyone’s really close friends, and it’s just so fun.”
She said once the senior night ceremony was completed, they were locked in to get the job done.
“We just knew what we needed to do: Do our senior night, get all the emotions out and then focus and have our energy and keep (Ventura’s) energy low. And, have so much fun on our last home game for league.”
Hastings, who had five kills, a solo block and a block assist, said winning a second straight league crown was one of the team goals.
“I’m really proud of us for finishing,” she said.
Hastings noted how great it’s been to be a part of such a close group of teammates.
“It’s really special. We’re all best friends. If something were to happen off the court, we just shake it off and we just focus and lock it in,” she said.
For Downing, who returned to the bench after stepping down in 2016, it was unique experience to coach a team of all seniors.
“They all get along, and that’s the biggest thing, I think, for them,” she said. “They’re all so close. Even Jeannie Johnson, who came back — she lived here when she was younger and played club with some of them and then moved away. She came back and wanted to play here and she just fit in like she’s been here the last four years.
“It’s special,” Downing added. “We talked about that after the game about how this is going to be such a core memory for them. Being seniors, all 15 of them, and then being able to win Channel League outright and still hopefully have a run in the playoffs.”