It was a lot different the last time Dos Pueblos played in Robertson Gym.
Back in November, thousands of people were there to see the top-ranked Chargers swept by Santa Barbara in the CIF title game. Paige Crane was a starter that day, and when she heard that Thursday’s match against Valencia had been moved over to Rob Gym, it definitely rung a bell.
“I think everyone was thinking about it,” she said after Thursday’s sweep of Valencia. “We ended last season in this gym and now we started this season anew in this gym. It was a good way to start it.”
The powerhouse Chargers got better as the match went on, eventually downing the Vikings with game scores of 25-15, 25-16, 25-11. Things were well-balanced with DP’s attack, as Sam Wopat led with nine kills and three others had at least four. Sally Yingst had a solid overall performance with four aces, five kills and six digs.
“The energy picked up in the third game. I think we started out a little quiet because we’re in a big place with a smaller crowd and a quiet atmosphere, so the girls were a little tense,” said first-year head coach Todd Garrett.
Sally Yingst got things going in the third set by serving six straight points beforte missing to leave the score at 9-2. The Chargers put together a particularly exceptional rally after Yingst picked up an ace to make it 7-1. Crane and Megan Smith made two beautiful digs in the point, which culminated in Carly Wopat crushing a set cross-court from the left side.
Later in the set, junior Nickie Brown stepped to the service line and served nine straight points, including three consecutive aces, with a jump-float serve that had the Viking passers baffled. DP was on cruise control the rest of the way. Nine of DP’s 13 players are seniors, but Brown and the other three youngsters — Taylor Racich, Jordan Roberts and Katie Spieler — also got in the game and played well.
“The younger players did a nice job They’ll play a big role on this team,” said Crane.
Next up for the Chargers is a home game against a traditionally strong opponent, Harvard-Westlake, on Saturday at Sovine Gym.
