Senior Drake Young led an impressive performance at the serving line for the Santa Barbara High boys volleyball team in a sweep against Pacifica in a Channel League match on Tuesday.
Young served eight aces and the Dons compiled 24 as a team in a 25-7, 25-8, 25-13 win.
Benicio Duarte was the team’s hitting leader with nine kills. Alec Hamman put away five kills and Finn Whipps added four. Drake, a senior setter, dished out 15 assists.
“I was pleased with our overall focus tonight,” said coach Chad Arneson.
Santa Barbara (6-6, 4-0 in league) plays host to Dos Pueblos on Thursday.
San Marcos 3, Ventura 0
Nate Loomer led a strong San Marcos attack in a 25-18, 25-13, 25-8 sweep at Ventura in a Channel League match on Tuesday.
Loomer, a senior opposite, blasted eight kills as the CIF-ranked Royals improved to 3-1 in league and 11-2 overall. They are 13th in the latest Southern Section combined Division 1-2 poll.
San Marcos coach Roger Kuntz cleared his bench in the match.
“We were able to look at some different line-ups tonight and get some of our hard-working guys on the court,” said Kuntz.
San Marcos hosts Pacifica on Thursday.
Dos Pueblos 3, Oxnard 0
Junior middle Liam Shields pounded 12 kills, and Dos Pueblos played a solid defensive match in holding off a feisty Oxnard team, 25-22, 25-19, 25-22, on Tuesday at Sovine Gym.
“I’m proud of our defensive effort tonight,” said DP coach Ehren Hug. “The Yellow Jackets played with a lot of volume tonight and attacked the ball well, but I was pleased to see our guys in the right spots to challenge on the net and dig/scoop the tips and rolls.”
Shields was a force in the second set, blasting five kills.
Shields had a great connection with junior setter Ryan Curtis, who was making his first start. He had 26 assists.
“Ryan spread around the juicy sets like a veteran. It was awesome to see him running the show tonight,” said Hug.
Wyatt Silver stepped into a hitter/blocker role and produced 11 kills and two blocks.
Dos Pueblos (9-5, 3-1 in Channel League) plays at league unbeaten Santa Barbara High on Thursday.
Laguna Blanca 3, Santa Ynez 0
The Owls shook off a slow start and pulled out a three-set sweep over the Pirates.
“We found ourselves down early again but were able to pick it up towards the end of the first set and played better in the second and third sets to pull out a win,” Laguna Blanca coach Tanner Stevens said.
Liam Knezevic collected 30 assists for the Owls, dishing 12 off to Ganden Walker while Drew Levinson finished with eight kills.
Defensively, Baylor Wilson ended the night with eight digs.
“Baylor Wilson played well defensively and it was good to get Liam and Drew’s connection going again,” Stevens said.
Laguna Blanca will head into the Brick House to take on Bishop Diego on Thursday at 5 p.m.
Bishop Diego 3, Dunn 0
The Cardinals earned a three-set victory over Dunn, 25-18, 25-21, 25-11.
Dawson Pennestri impressed in his first start as the setter in a 5-1 offense, collecting 35 assists and four digs,
Meanwhile, Harry Hayman was strong in the backcourt with 11 digs and 18 perfect service receptions. On the outside, Dean Wendel had three kills and a pair of aces.
The duo of Nick Malesky and Damien Krautmann led the offensive attack with a combined 24 kills on the day.
“We’ve been struggling to find our groove the last few matches,” Bishop Diego coach Dillan Bennett said. “We have had two extended periods of time away from the court for school events, and we’re battling the injury and illness bug now.
“I’m proud of the team that showed up today and worked hard to be competitive with a lineup we’ve never really had to practice. This new lineup gives us more options as we continue to improve and focus on the postseason.”
The Cardinals (6-6, 2-1 TVL) will host Laguna Blanca on Thursday at 5 p.m.
Channel Islands 3, Carpinteria 1
The Warriors came out hot, but Channel Islands stepped up and took the tight Citrus Coast League match in four sets, 14-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-21.
Xavier Reyes led the Warriors’ attack with kills, while Mario Mares, Andres Cruz and Cole Rowbottom each added four kills.
Setter Andres Quezada dished out 17 assists and Angel Zamora starred on defense with 14 digs.
Carpinteria falls to 4-4 overall and 2-1 in the CCL.
