By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

The Westlake High boys’ volleyball team has earned a berth in the CIF-Southern Section Division II finals on Saturday.

Westlake had little trouble dispatching crosstown rival Thousand Oaks in the semifinals Wednesday night at TOHS.

Behind 13 kills and nine digs from senior outside hitter Jake Kneller and a 21-kill, fourblock performance by senior middle blocker Scott Kevorken, the Warriors upended Thousand Oaks in three games by scores of 25-20, 25-19 and 25-13.

“We knew Thousand Oaks was going to be hungry,” Kneller said. “They had a five-game victory in the quarterfinals, momentum and the home-court advantage. But we just pushed through and stayed focused, and it paid off.”

Sophomore setter Travis Magorien logged 48 assists and eight digs for Westlake, which improved to 25-4-2 overall.

Senior middle blocker Paul Attkisson added seven kills and seven blocks; sophomore opposite Keats Stanley had eight kills; and junior libero Nick Weaver was good for 10 digs on the night.

“It feels great,” Stanley said. “We’ve worked really hard all season, and this is like a payoff feeling for that hard work.”

Thousand Oaks, a fourth-place finisher in the Marmonte League, ended its campaign with a 17-11 overall mark. TOHS lost to Westlake three times this season.

The Lancers were led by setter Chad Kingi, who had 15 assists and nine kills. Outside hitters Michael Taxter and Sean Foley each chipped in with seven kills for TOHS.

“We couldn’t pass the ball tonight and had to go to our go-to guys too often,” Lancer head coach Andrew Vazquez said. “They double- and triple-teamed those guys (Kingi, Taxter and Foley) all night long, and we couldn’t get anything going.”

In Saturday’s final, Westlake will play league rival Royal, which defeated Laguna Beach in four games Wednesday at RHS. Match time is slated for 7 p.m. at Thousand Oaks High.

Royal and Westlake split the league title, with each team winning on the other’s home court. “Our goal is not even close to accomplished,” Kneller said. “We still have a very tough match to go.”

Oak Park also advances

Westlake isn’t the only local volleyball team going to a section final.

Oak Park defeated Quartz Hill on the road in three games Wednesday to qualify for the Division III championship Saturday at Cypress College. The Eagles won by scores of 25- 21, 26-24 and 25-19.

“It was a great win against a great team,” OPHS head coach Pat Quinn said.

Oak Park will take on Norco in the title match.