NEWPORT BEACH — The Aliso Niguel girls volleyball team exploited its clear advantage at the net, got good defense from its back row and served well in a 25-16, 22-25, 25-15, 25-13 victory over Corona del Mar in an opening-round match in the CIF SS Division 2 playoffs on Thursday at Corona del Mar High School.

The unranked Wolverines (14-12), who finished in third place in the loaded South Coast League, will play No. 4 seed Orange Lutheran in a second-round match at Aliso Niguel on Saturday. Orange Luthera defeated Etiwanda in the first round Tuesday

The Sea Kings, winners of the Wave League, finished 17-12.

Aliso Niguel sophomore middle Jaslene Massey had four block assists and six kills in a four-set victory over Corona del Mar in the opening round of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs on Thursday, Oct. 19. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

Aliso Niguel sophomore middle Jaslene Massey had four block assists, six kills and partnered with Gabriella Green at the net to get touches on several of the Sea Kings’ kill attempts, making it easier for the players in the back row to dig balls and set up plays for teammates at the net.

“We were able to spread out the blockers a bit,” Wolverines coach Richelle Whiting said. “So we got to isolate them (the Sea Kings) a little bit. We figured out where they wanted to set their outside and we were able to have two up on them every time.”

Whiting also had plenty of praise for Rian Barr, who was also dominant from the middle position.

Aliso Niguel’s Rian Barr had 12 kills and two blocks a victory over Corona del Mar in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs on Thursday, Oct. 19. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

Barr finished with 12 kills, all but one coming from the middle, and assisted on two blocks.

The senior delivered five kills in the fourth set, including kills for the 23rd and 24th points.

“I feel like we really started off well,” Barr said. “We had that really good first set. We kind of struggled in the second set, but I really felt like that’s what made us turn around. If we didn’t lose that second set, I don’t think we would have won the next two, because that was a motivator for us.”

Naveah Mendez had 10 kills from the left side of the net for the Wolverines.

Aliso Niguel’s Naveah Mendez had 10 kills in a victory over Corona del Mar in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs on Thursday, Oct. 19. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

“I was really pumped up,” Massey said. “Since I’m a sophomore, it’s my first CIF playoffs really. Because last year, I was a freshman on varsity and didn’t really get to play.”

Lauren Esquino led Corona del Mar with 14 kills, including seven in the second set, the only set won by the Sea Kings.

The Sea Kings played without freshman outside hitter Sofia Dajnowiec, who was out sick and is one of the team’s best players.

“We were a little out of sorts to start the game,” Sea Kings coach Baily Humes said. “We just kind of fell apart early. Our serve speed broke down. We were playing hard through the rallies, but I think we got a little flustered and kind of panicked. We just kind of looked like we weren’t ready to play.”

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