Beating a defending state champion is a good way to start any season.
Santa Barbara High’s girls volleyball team did just that at J.R. Richards Gym on Thursday, downing Division III powerhouse Harvard Westlake 25-17, 20-23, 25-17, 26-24.
Mimi Cuttrell had 15 kills and Hadley Simmons added 14 in the middle for the Dons.
Sophomore Eve Ettinger put away 13 kills from the outside in her varsity debut. Emily Rottman tallied 11, with three kills and an ace in the latter part of the fourth game.
“We have some things to work on, but for our season-opener we looked pretty good,” said assistant coach Lee Carlander.
The Dons had match point at 24-19 in the fourth game and almost allowed the Wolverines to do what Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser did in last weekend’s AVP final on West Beach: score five straight and win it in extra points.
The visitors scored five straight, but it was the hosts who pulled it together and sealed the win.
Junior libero Katherine Keller did a stellar job anchoring Santa Barbara’s back row.
“She’s a stud,” said Carlander.
The Dons host Santa Margarita Friday night at 6:30 p.m.
BISHOP DIEGO 3, VILLANOVA 1
Nerves were certainly present as Bishop Diego started freshman, but the Cardinals staved off the visiting Wildcats 25-22, 25-19, 23-25, 25-22.
“They were definitely nervous, but I was really happy with what I saw,” said coach Joe Reiken. “This group has a lot of potential and the talent is there.”
Diana Sleep had 10 kills and Nicole Tetherow dished out 12 assists to go along with seven kills. Jenna McIntyre added 10 assists. All three players were playing in their first high shool match.
DOS PUEBLOS 3, VALENCIA 1
The Chargers have some star-power, but it was the contributions of three non-starters — Laura Penner, Kelcey Chaffin and Hannah Powers — that stood out to coach Dwayne Hauschild in DP’s 25-15, 25-14, 23-25, 25-18 road win.
“We lacked energy out there, but those three really came in and added a lot of fire,” said Hauschild. “Kelcey and Laura were loud and boisterous and Hannah was just out there playing hard and smiling. It was really nice to have them provide that kind of enthusiasm.”
The Chargers take on Harvard Westlake on Saturday.
WESTLAKE 3, SAN MARCOS 2
The Royals had a 21-12 lead in the fourth game but let it slip away in a 25-14, 14-25, 25-20, 25-22, 15-10 loss at the Thunderhut.
“We started out hot, but we caved in,” said coach Roger Kuntz.
Flo Chardon had 12 kills while ex-libero and lefty Kristen Schroeder added 11 for San Marcos. Jenn Waddill had 10 kills with only one error at the middle blocker position.
Kuntz also highlighted the passing of sophomores Emma Campbell and Hannah Warwick. The Royals play at Saugus on Saturday.
