Despite a rocky start, the Dos Pueblos boys volleyball team rallied after faltering the opening game to eventual secure a four-game win over Buena in a Channel League matchup on the road on Thursday. The Chargers lost the first game 25-22 but went on to take the next three consecutive games, 25-22, 25-15, and 27-25.
After the Chargers’ display of inconsistent passing and sloppy net play, they were able to tighten up in the second and come out on top. Eli Wopat served as the offensive catalyst on the day pounding ball after ball to contribute a total of 26 kills along with an ace. Will Parker performed well on the defensive side of the floor as he manned the back row with 17 digs.
“Eli was not unstoppable by any means as the Buena block was strong tonight as well as the back row,” said coach Ehren Rug. “But he just kept hammering away and overpowering his opponent whenever he got the chance.”
The third set was kicked off with good serving from both Mark Raphael and Elliot Brainerd who facilitated a 9-2 start to the set. Ethan Brier — who finished with 8 kills on 17 attempts as well as 4 blocks — hammered balls to pace the Chargers to their second set win on the day. CD Sullivan finished with 10 kills.
In the final set of the match, Buena allowed its fans a little bit of hope as the Bulldogs closed an 8-point game at 18-10 and went on to battle in a riveting back-and-forth affair that found its way to 25-25. It was then when Wopat smacked down two consecutive kills to finally carry Dos Pueblos across the finish line.
Rug credited the efforts of the opposition saying, “Coach Jesse has done wonders with his program and they were some scrappy competitors on defense and have two legitimit guns on offense, they played great tonight.”
The Chargers improve to 9-7 overall and 3-3 in league with the win. They now prepare to face crosstown rival San Marcos on Tuesday in a much anticipated Channel League matchup.
