The Lasers remained atop of the conference, improving to 4-0. The Breakers (3-2) are tied for second place with the Sacramento Capitals.
A fight for second place is next. It might remain that way for Newport Beach after dropping its two lone regular-season matches to Springfield, the team Newport Beach Coach Trevor Kronemann expects to win the conference.
“I think after four days of traveling the country, we’re … a little bit tired, a little bit fatigued,” Kronemann said before rattling off the cities, Sacramento, Springfield, Kansas City and Newport Beach.
“Planes, trains and automobiles, and I think tonight it finally caught up to us there at the end.”
Much needed rest is in store for the Breakers today. Then they’re off to face the Capitals Friday in Sacramento and the following day back in Newport Beach.
The Breakers had an opportunity to be in first before traveling to Sacramento. The Breakers might have if they hung on to a 20-12 lead entering the final set, women’s singles in Springfield, Mo.
“We had this team by eight games going into the fifth set in Springfield,” Kronemann said. “We’re looking at 4-0, staring you right in your face. That’s a great start.”
The Lasers ruined the Breakers’ undefeated season, 22-21, storming back Monday with the tenacious play of Vania King.
King returned Wednesday and continued her stellar play, winning 5-2 in women’s singles, and recording the same score in women’s doubles.
The Breakers started off slow.
In mixed doubles, the combination of Kaes Van’t Hof and Marie-Eve Pelletier hurt Newport Beach the second time around against the Lasers.
The duo fell behind to Martin Damm and his new teammate, Chanelle Scheepers, 3-1, in the opening set.
