Santa Barbara defeated Granite Bay and Torrey Pines on Friday at the Best of the West Tournament in San Diego. The Dons dropped their final pool play match to San Clemente but did well enough to make Saturday’s Gold Bracket.
The Dons swept Granite Bay, then took three sets to turn away Torrey Pines 25-23, 14-25, 15-12.
“They’re a big, physical team,” said Dons head coach Chad Arneson. “We were able to get the big points and pull that one out. Definitely a confidence boost.”
Sophomore setter Henry Hancock drew praise from his coach for stepping into a primary role against San Clemente and holding his own. Hancock is getting a chance because regular starter Cord Pereira is taking the SAT on Saturday.
The Dons will start out against Westlake at 9 a.m.
Arneson said Hayden Millington, Jasper Rhodes and Kyle Skinner were all consistent performers and Barron Mainz did well “controlling the defense and passing well for us.”
The Dons beat Granite Bay 25-21, 25-19 and lost to San Clemente 25-19, 25-20.
