The Santa Barbara High girls volleyball picked up a signature win Friday night, bringing down last year’s Div. I-AA CIF champion and current No. 1 Santa Margarita 28-26, 25-23, 23-25, 25-23 in a clash of top-ranked teams.
The Dons, who are the defending Div. I-A champions, are off to a 2-0 start in their title defense and play next on Tuesday against Royal.
“It was a good road victory, a good one to pull out,” said Dons assistant coach Lee Carlander.
He called Emily Rottman “a complete stud” for her 24-dig, 17-kill performance. Eve Ettinger was equally lethal, hammering 20 kills with nine digs.
With those two, it’s no coincidence the Dons set the outside a lot.
“They’re going to carry a heavy load this year,” admitted Carlander.
Libero-turned-setter Katherine Keller and Rose Lewis shared the setting duties, tallying 50 assists between the two of them.
“It’s impressive seeing her play out of position,” said Carlander of Keller.
