Emily Rottman and Eve Ettinger will have a lot of sets coming their way for the defending CIF champion Santa Barbara girls volleyball team this season, and if Thursday’s home opener was any indication, the Dons will be just fine on offense.
Rottman blasted 21 kills and Ettinger added 17 as the Dons took down Newbury Park 30-28, 25-22, 21-25, 25-21 at J.R. Richards Gym.
“They’re going to carry a heavy load for us and see a lot of balls. And they also have to pass and dig for us,” said assistant coach Lee Carlander.
Rose Lewis and Katherine Keller shared the setting duties in the Dons’ 6-2 offense and did a good job of directing the offense, according to Carlander. Keller, a returning all-CIF libero, may or may not continue to set as the season goes on. Sarah Mendoza will be the team’s libero if Keller continues to do so.
Katie Villanueva added five kills in the middle and Paige Hawkins added seven on the right side for the Dons, while Rottman led the team with 10 digs and a pair of blocks.
Next up is defending Division I-AA champion Santa Margarita in a road match on Friday night. The Eagles defeated mighty Mira Costa in last year’s CIF finals, but the Dons had swept them earlier in the season.
“Word on the street is that they’ve circled us on their calendar,” said Carlander.
