Santa Barbara High's Calvin Nelley (left) sizes up the Valley View goalkeeper in Thursday's first-round playoff game. Nelley tallied three goals and five steals in the win. (Peter Young / Noozhawk Photo)

Santa Barbara High boys water polo opened its CIF-SS Div. 3 playoff run with an 11-9 victory over Valley View High on Thursday in Santa Barbara.

With the win, the Dons are now on to a Round 2 matchup on the road against Hoover High on Tuesday in Glendale.

Santa Barbara High was in control from start to finish, leading 6-3 after the first quarter and growing that lead to 9-4 by halftime.

The Dons added on two more goals in the third quarter to pull away and eventually secure the win.

Santa Barbara High’s Oliver Kelly fires a shot towards the Valley View goalkeeper in Thursday’s playoff matchup. Kelly led the Dons with four goals in the win. (Peter Young / Noozhawk Photo)

Oliver Kelly paced the offensive attack with four goals, while Calvin Nelley contributed on both ends with three goals and five steals.

West Graham scored twice, and Lorenzo Russell and Will Stearns-Corbin rounded out the scoring with one goal apiece.

In the cage, Mason Walsh collected eight saves and dished out a pair of assists.

Noozhawk sports editor Diego Sandoval can be reached at dsandoval@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter and Instagram @NoozhawkSports