John Michael Flint had a big night for the Bishop Diego boys volleyball team, producing 19 kills in an important five-set win at St. Bonaventure in Tri-Valley League action on Thursday night.
The 23-25, 25-12, 25-17, 23-25, 15-13 victory kept the Cardinals in the hunt for a CIF playoff spot as they evened their league record to 3-3. They’re 9-11.
Nick Malesky and Leshawn Cruz stepped up as blockers. They combined for seven blocks, with Malesky getting credit for six. Cruz’s lone rejection was a solo in the fifth set that clinched the match. He also put away 12 kills.
Thomas Gaggs added 10 kills and served three aces.
“He did not commit an error at the net or from the service line after game two,” said coach Dillan Bennett.
Setter Will Neubauer did a good job of spreading the ball to all of his hitters and finished with 53 assists.
“While this was a stressful nail-biter from beginning to end, looking back, I’m so proud of how the team stuck together under pressure,” said Bennett. “St. Bonaventure does a really nice job of preparing their guys, and they have a few players who are strong offensively.
“We continue to improve, but we have to take it up another notch to compete with Cate next week. Our backs are against the wall in our hunt for a playoff spot later this season.”
Santa Barbara 3, Ventura 0
The Dons swept at Ventura to complete a 7-0 run through the first round of Channel League play.
Freshman Hayes Costner led a balanced attack with nine kills in a 25-12, 25-15, 25-11 win. Benicio Duarte had seven kills and three service aces and middle Jack Holdren contributed five kills and two blocks. Drake Young handled the setting duties and dished out 25 assists.
Coach Chad Arneson said he’s pleased how this team has come together.
“I’m really grateful for the cohesion this team has already demonstrated this season. We have a lot of obvious individual talent, but it really takes a true team to capitalize on that, and these boys are proving themselves as a whole, which is why we have been successful in the first half of this season.”
Santa Barbara will return to action during Spring Break, playing at the Clash of the Titans Tournament in Honolulu, Hawaii on March 29-30.
Dos Pueblos 3, Pacifica 0
The Chargers served 16 aces in a 25-8, 25-7, 25-14 sweep in a Channel League match.
Wyatt Silver led the way at the service line with six aces. He also had seven kills.
Middle Noah Grant was DP’s kill leader with nine to go with three blocks and an ace.
“We were efficient with our transition game tonight and executed at a very high percentage,” said coach Ehren Hug.
Dos Pueblos enters Spring Break with records of 5-2 in league and 15-6 overall.
San Marcos 3, Buena 0
The Royals enter Spring Break with a 21-2 overall record (6-1 in Channel League) after notching a 25-6, 25-6, 25-15 sweep at Buena.
Junior Dodge Rivadeneyra posted six kills, while senior middle Ryan Taylor added five kills and was a force from the service line.
The Royals are off until April 2 when they host Santa Ynez.
Laguna Blanca 3, Cate 0
The Owls prevailed in three tough sets to remain undefeated in the Tri-Valley League. The scores were 25-22, 25-20. 25-20.
Setter Liam Knezevic ran an efficient attack for Laguna Blanca and contributed on the defensive end with five blocks.
“Liam ran another smooth offense and blocked well throughout the night,” said Laguna Blanca assistant coach Tanner Stevens.
Ganden Walker led the Owls with 15 kills and Tyson Deveze added nine.
“Soren Alldredge and Drew Levinson had productive nights in the middle both blocking and hitting to spark our offense.”
Ben Richmond had 14 kills and hit for a .444 average to lead Cate.
“The team had one of its better nights passing some tough serves and making some great digs, creating opportunities for strong offensive plays,” said Cate coach KC Collins. “Unfortunately, we committed just enough unforced errors at times that would kill our momentum swings, making it hard to have any significant run on points.
“Despite the loss, we did a good job at making several adjustments in our strategies, and the team stepped up to play some great ball against a solid opponent tonight.”