HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL / SOUTHERN SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS : Top-Seeded Loyola Does What’s Expected

This was supposed to be Loyola’s year to win the Southern Section Division I boys’ volleyball championship. And the Cubs didn’t disappoint their fans.

Senior Dan Farmer had 23 kills and twin brother Tim Farmer added 17 to help top-seeded Loyola defeat San Clemente, 13-15, 15-12, 15-5, 15-8, in the championship match at Cypress College on Saturday.

The Cubs (20-1) won their first title since 1988, giving them six championships, most of any school in the section. But No. 6 came after the Cubs weathered a strong Game 1 performance from the unseeded Tritons (17-6).

San Clemente, playing in its first final since 1981, was led by 6-foot-9 outside hitter Gabe Gardner, who had a match-high 29 kills and four blocks, and Corin Bemus, who had 22 kills. But Loyola had too much balance, strength and size.

“We wanted to slow down Gardner and Bemus,” Loyola’s first-year Coach Eric Wells said. “We didn’t panic after the first game; we wore them down.”

Setter Steve Dunne (62 assists) led the balanced attack. In addition to the 6-4 Farmer twins, 6-4 outside hitter Pat Klein had 12 kills, 6-5 middle blocker Lee Bennett had 11 and 6-2 outside hitter Brad Walsh had 10.

In the Division II match, Curtis Jackson had 23 kills and four blocks and Donnie Rafter had 14 kills for top-seeded Tustin (20-1), which defeated Calvary Chapel, 15-4, 13-15, 15-2, 17-15. Robert Schildts had 19 kills for Calvary Chapel (14-4).

In Division III, George Roumain had 27 kills and Larry Witt added 22 for top-seeded Santa Ynez (21-0), which defeated Village Christian, 15-4, 15-6, 16-14. Village Christian ends 20-1.