The Santa Barbara High boys volleyball flew back from a tournament in Honolulu and jumped right into a crosstown Channel League match against Dos Pueblos on Monday night.
The Dons rebounded back from a second-set loss and beat the Chargers, 25-12, 18-25, 25-18, 25-16, on Monday night at J.R. Richards Gym. The win keeps them in a first-place tie with San Marcos at 7-1. Dos Pueblos is 8-3 in league.
“Well, we’ll take the win,” said Santa Barbara coach Chad Arneson. “We had a great experience in Hawai’i and got to play a lot of good teams out there. We had to come back home late at midnight and for our boys to respond on a short turnaround, it was a really important win for us.”
The Dons picked up right where they left off in Hawai’i, taking the first set with ease.
Dos Pueblos didn’t go down without a fight, managing to claw its way back into the match with a dominate second set.
The Chargers jumped out to a 14-9 lead, and never let up, holding the lead from the third point of the match.
Arneson stated the upmost confidence in his team following the second set.
“I think we missed like eight serves. Like any level, it’s about serving and passing, and (the Chargers) got some unearned points but they also won that game.
“I think our kids just kept their composure and just steadied out and were consistent.”
The third set remained a close until the service game came alive for the Dons. It sparked an 8-3 run that spark a set victory.
The fourth set was much of the same, as the Dons extended their lead early and didn’t see it slip away.
“It’s not my first rodeo in here and many times we have gone out on the losing end, but it’s not the end of the season,” said Dos Pueblos coach Ehren Hug. “We always learn a ton from when we win and lose.”
The Chargers were led by Matthew Wilcox and Micah Goss each with eight kills.
Raglan Kear had 16 kills and five service aces to lead the Dons. Chase Holdren played the setup man, gaining 28 assists along the way.
Ford Harman put it all together for Santa Barbara, tallying 18 assists, 10 digs, and three kills.
Arneson was pleased his team was able to pull out the win and stay in first place.
“We have a chance to be Channel League champs, if DP beats San Marcos. If not, we’re going to be co-Channel League champs and that says a lot about our team and what we’ve been through.
“I’ve been preaching we got to play together as a team. And to learn that is so important.”
