Westlake Tries to Put Mean Season Behind

VENTURA —  Perhaps it was only a hiccup.

A fluke. A rarity and for sure, an oddity.

But for the first time since 1994, Westlake High did not win the Marmonte League girls’ volleyball title last year, falling victim to a season of mediocrity.

Thursday night, the Warriors took a step getting their program back on track, downing Buena in a nonleague match, 10-15, 15-6, 10-15, 15-12, 16-14, at Buena.

Tawny Thorp had 18 kills, Lauren Mills added 16 kills and Westlake gave reason to believe this season might be different than the last one.

“Last year was really tough,” said senior Stacey Lee. “I think we’re going to do a lot better. All of our players have matured so much.”

The Warriors (1-0) did not play in a five-game match last season. They’ll need the experience in a nonleague match against La Reina and an early league match against Royal in the next two weeks.

The Warriors, ranked No. 5 in the region by the Times, upended third-ranked Buena (0-1) thanks to a combination of solid offensive play and stellar defense.

Westlake came out on top in several rallies, including two near the end of the fourth game, in which the Warriors fought off a late charge by Buena.

In the fifth game, Westlake led, 14-11, was caught at 14-14, but won the last two points on an ace by Thorp and a kill by Mills.

“We’re learning to be intense, not tense,” Coach Karen Suppan Klee of Westlake said. “I’m so proud of the fact that we won in that final game.”

The road does not get easier for Buena, which plays host to defending Channel League champion San Marcos on Tuesday.

In the meantime, the Bulldogs must work on finishing strong.

“We like to try to come back and that’s the problem,” Coach Jack Richards of Buena said. “That doesn’t always work. We need to get on the floor in every game and be strong.”

Krystal McFarland had 24 kills but also 19 hitting errors.

Lindsey Martin, a 6-foot-2 junior, had 11 blocks and Mandy Jetton added 10 kills for the Bulldogs.

The key for Westlake might be the improved play of Thorp, a 5-8 junior outside hitter.

Mills was an All-Southern Section second team selection last season, and Lee has plenty of a experience, but Thorp’s attack may be the difference this season.

“Tawny’s hitting awesome,” Lee said. “She was younger last year and didn’t feel as much of a leader. This year, she’s really stepped it up. She feels more confident.”

Lee stopped short of comparing this team to successful Westlake teams of the past, specifically the 1997 squad that won a Southern Section Division II-A title.

“That team was insane,” Lee said. “But I think we could get there this year. Definitely.”

Katie Meledy had 15 kills for the Warriors, who play second-ranked La Reina on Tuesday.