Beckman boys volleyball team gets ready for another road challenge in CIF semifinals

Beckman’s boys volleyball team, coached by Darin McBain, is headed to the semifinals. (File photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)

Beckman’s boys boys volleyball team is headed to the semifinal round of the CIF Division 2 playoffs Wednesday night at 6 on the road against Oak Park.

The third-seeded Patrots defeated Mission Viejo 25-23, 25-14, 25-17 Saturday night in the quarterfinals at Mission Viejo.

Karl Stenlund had 16 kills, two blocks and one ace to lead Beckman. Walid Sadiq had six kills and Kalob Partida five kills and one block.

Middle blockers Jake Morrison and Aaman Soma combined for seven blocks.

It’s the first time since 2016 when Beckman lost to Loyola in four sets that a Patriot team has reached the semifinals. Beckman also reached the semifinal round of the state playoffs that year and lost to Corona del Mar in four sets.

“We got off to a slow start,” Beckman Coach Darin McBain said of Saturday’s match. “It took us a little while to get into the flow of the game and make a play or two to get the score in our favor. We were outplayed in that first set and felt lucky to be in it late.

“The break came at 23-23 when our sophomore middle blocker Jake Morrison, got a huge solo block and we were able to close out the next point. From then on, we played the  high-level volleyball we have been playing lately.”

Beckman then found out it was headed out for another road match.

“It is unfortunate that we lost another coin flip and have to travel all the way up to Oak Park, but our guys are used to playing on the road by now,” McBain said.

“Even our opening round match against Tustin felt like an away game when their fans showed up in numbers and made a ton of noise, so we feel like we have met three tough challenges so far and are looking forward to another one.”

The winner of Wednesday’s semifinals moves on to the finals Saturday against the winner of the other semifinal match between Saddleback Valley Christian and West Ranch.