San Marcos girls volleyball was swept on the road by Royal High on Tuesday in Simi Valley, 18-25, 19-25, 23-25.
“We started off pretty slow,” San Marcos head coach Erica Downing said. “We came back in game three and started off really strong… I think our inexperience at the varsity level for this group of girls caught up to us and our inconsistency.
“Overall, I was proud of how hard they worked. We’ve made progress and we will continue to make progress, hopefully just in time for league.”
Anja Firestone held down the back row for the Royals with 16 digs from the libero position, while Cate Lorenz led the team with seven kills, Lola Keech served up three aces and Giulia Gislimberti tallied four blocks at the net.
San Marcos will look to bounce back against Valencia High on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. inside the Thunderhut.
Santa Ynez 3, Santa Barbara High 2
The Dons dropped a five-set battle with the Pirates on Tuesday inside J.R. Richards Gym, 25-23, 25-22, 18-25, 21-25, 13-15.
“Santa Ynez turned up the intensity in the third set, and we gave up too many unforced errors,” Santa Barbara High head coach Kristin Hempy said. “This is a match we should have won, so we are learning some lessons the hard way about mental toughness and momentum swings.”
Blake Saunders recorded a double-double for the Dons with 19 kills and 17 digs, while Lola Heckman and Kira Elliot each had double-digit kills as well with 13 and 12, respectively.
Stella Peus ran the offense to the tune of 49 assists, and Paylin Marcillac and Grace Costner contributed 21 and 14 digs, respectively.
The Dons will be on the road for a crosstown non-league matchup with Dos Pueblos on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Carpinteria High 3, Santa Clara 2
The Warriors pulled out a five-set win over Santa Clara on Tuesday in Oxnard, 25-18, 25-15, 16-25, 20-25, 15-10.
“The Warriors dominated the first two sets, then fell prey to the highly defensive plays in the next two sets,” Carpinteria High head coach Evan Rowbottom said. “A final set had them on top, and they battled to stay calm and take it point by point to come away with the win.
“The girls are really starting to get into a rhythm, and that game was hopefully the first of many wins for the Warriors.”
Cora Nimmons tallied a team-high 13 kills, while Harper Rowbottom and Isla Moore had strong offensive showings as well.
Evelyn Aviles facilitated the offensive attack, and the duo of Samantha Sanchez and Leona McLellan spearheaded the defensive effort.
