Laguna Blanca’s “Big Three” showed up in the Owls’ CIF opener on Thursday night as Twentynine Palms was knocked from Division IV-AA’s CIF playoff 25-20, 25-16, 25-22 in Merovick Gym.
Amanda Harvey, Amanda Schulenberg and Lillie Hidges carried the load with a couple of the Owls playing out of position because of injuries.
“We had to plug in a lineup we’ve never played with,” said Laguna Blanca head coach Jim Alzina, whose team will likely be playing at home again on Saturday’s quarterfinals.
The Owls will face either Patriot or Brethren Christian.
Twentynine Palms took leads in the first and third sets against the Owls and their unusual lineup but could not keep the lead against Laguna Blanca.
Clara Madsen stepped into the setters role and provided another key contribution.
“We just refer to her as the young Jedi because the force is strong with her,” Alzina said of Madsen.
Harvey moved from her normal setter role to outside hitter and came through with 22 kills. Schulenberg tallied 18 and Hodges kept points alive with 26 digs.
