After two wins on Friday, the Santa Barbara Dons will be playing in the semifinals of the Archbishop Mitty volleyball tournament on Saturday. That is, if their legs will carry them.
The Dons triumphed in two epic five-setters, beating Presentation, which is located in San Jose, 23-25, 25-17, 26-24, 22-25, 15-11 in the first match. Then, in a rematch from last year’s semifinals, Santa Barbara outlasted Marymount 25-23, 18-25, 24-26, 26-24, 15-12.
“The Marymount match was ridicuous,” said Dons assistant Lee Carlander, who was impressed by the extremely high level of play at this year’s tournament. “It was one of those matches that people who were leaving stuck around just to watch.”
Emily Rottman was unable to play for the second day in a row so sophomore Dani Rottman got the nod, and was good for 10 kills, 22 digs and three blocks in the first match. She tacked on 11 more kills against Marymount.
“Dani was unbelievable stepping in,” Carlander said, though she had plenty of help.
Eve Ettinger posted 29 kills, nine blocks and 23 digs in the two matches while Sarah Mendoza tallied 30 digs in Game 1 alone.
Katherine Keller was as active as ever at the net, according to Carlander, and recorded 24 kills to show for it.
Dos Pueblos and Florida’s Berkeley Prep face off in the other semifinal while Santa Barbara takes on host Archbishop Mitty at noon.
