Esparza/Ortegon advance to WSC quarterfinals

Emma Esparza and Jacque Ortegon recorded their most dominating victory in the opening round of the WSC Women's Beach Volleyball Pairs Tournament on Wednesday at the Ventura Marina, then advanced to the quarterfinals without a single serve or spike.

Esparza, a 5-4 sophomore from Foothill Tech in Ventura, and Ortegon, a 5-8 freshman from Coronado, were seeded 12th in the 31-team draw. They routed No. 21 Sona Abramova/Seda Kazaryan of Glendale 21-8, 21-3 in the first round.

McKenzie Garrison and Grace Trocki were the fifth seed for the Vaqueros. They beat Kambria Dowling and Kayla Hosch of Ventura 21-18, 21-15. Garrison/Trocki were slated to play their teammates Esparza/Ortegon in the Round of 16 but had to forfeit due to injury.

"I'm not surprised to see Emma and Jacque in the quarters because they're our most improved team this season and they have the strongest chemistry," said coach Samantha Calisto. "I'm excited to see them compete against the other strong teams left in the bracket."

Esparza/Ortegon will take on No. 4 Morgan Townson/Penelope Zepeda of Bakersfield in the quarterfinals on Friday at Santa Monica, starting at 10 a.m.

The Vaqueros had a third team in the field -- Michelle Orgel and Madie Meyer and they were seeded 19th. They fell to No. 14 Alexxis Holburt/Krystal Shurtliff of Victor Valley, 21-13, 21-15.