Santa Barbara missed consecutive serves with a 24-21 lead in the fourth set at Valencia and wound up losing the set, 35-33, and the non-league boys volleyball match on Wednesday.
“We couldn’t pull it off,” said Dons coach Chad Arneson after the 26-24, 25-23, 25-22, 35-33 decision.
Jasper Rhodes had 14 kills and Hayden Millington had 13 to pace the Santa Barbara attack. Barron Mainz picked up 16 digs and setter Cord Pereira dished out 44 assists. Arneson praised the play of middles Grant Galitzer and Cooper Johnson. Outside hitter Kyle Skinner missed the match due to an illness, said the coach.
Despite the loss, Arneson said the match was a good preparation for the postseason.
“It was a real good test before going into playoffs in a couple of weeks,” he said.
The Dons close out the regular season Thursday at home against Buena and will be looking to finish Channel League at 8-0.
