It was a marquee matchup of boys volleyball powers down in Los Angeles Saturday, and fifth-ranked Santa Barbara came back home after falling in a thriller at No. 2 Loyola 23-25, 25-16, 20-25, 25-20, 18-16.
“I think this was a good thing for us, and Loyola’s just a great team,” said Dons coach Chad Arneson. “Our kids have been playing some tough road matches.”
Setter Sam Biscaro said that a late letdown in the fourth game was the turning point, and that the Dons will have to work on closing out matches. Taylor Fauntleroy had 24 kills in the match while Chris Pratt tallied 14.
Alec Smythe played at the opposite hitter position, finishing with five kills and a pair of blocks while also ending the third set with an ace.
The fifth game ended on a controversial call, as a Loyola serve that was initially ruled out was overturned for match point. The Dons are now 8-3 on the year.
