Not willing to show too much to a league opponent, San Marcos dropped a 25-16 to Ventura in the third-place game at the Cougar Classic on Saturday.
The Royals travel back to Ventura for the Channel League girls volleyball opener on Thursday.
“We both played different lineups,” San Marcos coach Erica Downing said. “We didn’t want to show our secrets.”
The Royals started strong, beating Camarillo (the eventual tournament champion), 25-22, 25-15, and Simi Valley (25-15, 25-20) in pool play.
They fell to Agoura, 15-19, 25-12, 15-9, in the first round of the playoffs.
Downing cited the play of Courtney La Viale and Jacklyn Heuchert.
“I think we did what was expected,” Downing said of the tournament. “We won the games we were supposed to in pool play. The girls feel more confident in tough situations. That’s what tournaments are all about.”
