Dos Pueblos might not be the biggest dog in the Channel League boys volleyball fight this season, but the Chargers showed Monday why they are a serious contender for the league title, using superior ball control in a 25-22, 25-21, 29-27 sweep of visiting Westlake.
“Our guys aren’t scared of defense. They love balls hit at ’em, and that’s what we showed tonight,” said coach Chris Hughes. “We will be in every match because of our ball control.”
Will McCracken, one of DP’s two setters, got a few extra swings as Hughes left all of the setting duties to Tim Baxter in a 5-1 offense most of the night. He made the extra swings count, putting away a team-high 16 kills to go along with five digs and a pair of blocks. Jordon Dyer added 10 kills and big Cody Zoesch had seven.
But it was the defensive play that kept many of the key rallies alive for the Chargers, and it’s that defensive play that will create quite a nuisance for opposing teams this year. Liberos Cole Arutian and Dillan Bennett made some digs that most players simply can’t make, and as a team the Chargers’ passing was exceptionally consistent, an especially encouraging sign in the early season.
“It makes my job so easy when people are on the other side of the net pounding balls at us and our back row keeps putting the ball right where it needs to be,” said Baxter, an energetic 6-foot senior. “We were in a good rhythm and it felt really good.”
Westlake, ranked No. 6 in Division 2, was without the services of Stanford-bound outside hitter Jake Knellernut but still had plenty of pop.
“Westlake’s the real deal, so this is one of our biggest wins for awhile,” said Hughes.
All three sets were close in the match, particularly the third, which saw numeorus long rallies and four unsuccessful match points. Arutiuan made a great pancake dig and McCracken put away a kill to give DP a 19-16 lead, but things would even up at 20 and the teams would go back and forth all the way. McCracken would put away three kills in that span.
The Chargers were energetic and seemed confident throughout the home stretch.
“It’s paramount in volleyball to have energy and emotional and celebrate as a team. That’s how you develop a rhythm,” said Baxter.
Hughes agreed, and pointed out that his senior setter is particularly useful in establishing that rhythm.
“Baxter is probably one of the best competitiors that I’ve had. He is as hard on himself as everyone I’ve ever coached, and he knows what it takes to win,” said the coach.
