The Santa Barbara girls beat visiting Ventura 3-1 Thursday to clinch the team’s first outright Channel League title since 2013 and first title overall since 2014.
On set scores of 25-11, 25-17, 23-25, 25-18, the CIF-SS defending champion Dons are now 12-1 in league play and 21-8 overall.
Senior outside hitter Shae Delany led the way with 18 kills, 14 digs, a block and an ace, and Nicole Schuetz added 14 kills, two blocks and two digs.
“Though it was not the best night of volleyball we’ve played, we were able to come away with the win and the league championship title,” Santa Barbara coach Kristin Hempy. “We need to be more disciplined looking ahead to CIF post-season, but overall I’m proud of the girls for their efforts through this challenging league season.”
The Dons have one more league game on Tuesday, hosting Rio Mesa in a Senior Night contest.
Gracie Meinzer distributed 37 assists for the Dons, and added 10 digs, five kills, two aces and two blocks. Emmy Werner had eight kills, 14 digs and five aces. Augustine Wooten added six kills, and Gwen Chenowith had nine assists, two digs and three aces. Stella Borgioli also has nine assists.
Tessa De Albergaria had 18 digs and a kill.
“Gwen Chenoweth came in and set and served well for us tonight,” Hempy said. “Shae and Nicole provided offensive stability when it was most needed. Gracie worked hard dishing sets to our offense, and played strong defense tonight as well. Tessa picked up a lot of great passes in the back row.”
