Valencia’s boys volleyball team came to town Tuesday night, providing Santa Barbara High with a golden opportunity for payback.
You see, the Vikings (3-6) have been a nemesis of sorts to the Dons in years past, with their last matchup a 3-0 Valencia sweep in last year’s CIF Division II final. After graduating 10 seniors and all of its starters, Valencia is in a rebuilding mode this year.
The Dons (7-2) swept the Vikings 25-19, 25-15, 25-15, but left the party feeling like they didn’t have as much fun as they should have.
“It was definitely nice to come out and get a win against them after last year, but it was definitely not the way we wanted to come out at all,” said senior captain Chris Pratt, who put away eight kills in the sleepy affair. “We want to come out with good energy, and that was kind of a letdown for me, actually.”
Another letdown for Pratt is on his upper lip. He’s been doing his best to join in on the festivities for “Mustache March,” but his blond-haired result has left a little bit to be desired. It’s a noble attempt, nonetheless.
Clean-shaven Taylor Fauntleroy had a smooth 12 kills for the Dons, who were understandably a bit fatigued after a long weekend at the Best of the West Tournament in San Diego, where they finished third.
“Considering we lost to Valencia in the finals a couple of times over the past five years, I would expect a little more energy from the boys tonight,” said coach Chad Arneson. “I expected them to pick it up and show that they still care about the loss from last year.”
But it wasn’t doomsday at J.R. Richards Gym, and “a win’s a win,” as Arneson would go on to point out.
Senior setter Sam Biscaro, who recently committed to play at the University of Hawai’i, did a nice job spreading the ball around to an array of hitters. Blake Crowe and Clifford Anderson turned in solid matches at the net, and libero WIll Boucher had three aces to go along with some nice digs.
Despite deficits early in the first and third sets, the Dons were able to recover and keep a safe lead down the stretch of each frame. Santa Barbara, now ranked No. 5 in Division I, opens up Channel League play with
