L.A. Pierce had the upper hand in the latter stages of the first two sets on Friday night and went on to beat SBCC 3-0 in a WSC men’s volleyball match at the Sports Pavilion. The scores were 25-23, 25-23, 25-20.
The Vaqueros, ranked fifth in the state, fell to 6-4 overall and 1-2 in conference. The No. 4 Brahmas improved to 6-3 and 1-1.
Matt Winslow led SBCC with 10 kills and 10 digs, recording his first double-double of the season. Aquiles Montoya had seven kills and five blocks and Chris Utroske added five kills and four blocks.
“We were ready to play at home and we came out on fire,” said coach Armen Zakarian. “If this was a boxing match, we jabbed first, then they jabbed back. I think that startled us a little.”
The Vaqueros led 9-6 and 12-8 in the first set. After falling behind by two, they pulled ahead 23-20 on a kill by Cody Kreitzer. But the Brahmas scored the last five points and won it on a net violation that erased a stirring block by Montoya and Kreitzer.
Santa Barbara took a 14-10 lead in the second set on a roof by Montoya and led 19-18 after Winslow pounded a kill. The Vaqueros tied the set for the 12th time at 23 before Pierce scored the last two points.
The Brahmas jumped ahead 6-1 and 10-3 in the third set. SBCC got within two (18-16) on a slam by Utroske in the middle but couldn’t get any closer.
“Normally, we’re a good recovery team,” said Zakarian. “We’re a young team and it’s coming back to hurt us. There’s more importance placed on each match and this is our only home match in the first five (of conference).
“For us to let this one go, especially in a three-game sweep, that’s definitely a tough one. But we’re a good team and we’re going to bounce back.”
The Vaqueros travel to No. 2 El Camino on Wednesday.
