Santa Barbara High girls beach volleyball battled to a 3-2 non-league victory over Santa Ynez High on Thursday at East Beach.
“Overall, this was a close match against a competitive SY program,” Dons head coach Kristin Hempy said. “It was nice to get our twos, threes and fours good experience with some tight games going to three in the preseason.”
The No. 1 Santa Barbara High duo of Lola Heckman and Kira Elliot earned a two-set victory over Scarlett Ollenburger and Raine Snekrik, 21-12, 21-18.
“Lola and Kira are off to a good start as our one pair – they had some great strategic offensive work tonight, working against a good block from SY,” Hempy said. “Kira’s swings looked strong and Lola was hitting all her shots.”
At the No. 2 matchup, Paylin Marcillac and Stella Peus of the Dons pulled out a three-set win over Santa Ynez’s Natalie Baley and Lila Cassidy, 21-13, 16-21, 15-9.
The Pirates got on the board with a three-set win at court three where Addie Madrid and Kendall Herthel outlasted Santa Barbara High’s Jacqueline Durling and Talia Yoshimi, 21-16, 10-21, 15-9.
Santa Ynez’s Haley Spry and Tatum Kay got the best of Grace Costner and Gabby Cajuste of the Dons in three sets, 21-11, 16-21, 15-13.
“We had some battles against a very scrappy Santa Barbara team,” Santa Ynez head coach Melissa Rogers said. “Playing without some of our key players due to CIF has been tough, but our younger teams are gaining some valuable experience as our roster settles in.”
The Santa Barbara High No. 5 pairing of Phoebe Peterson and Delilah Ficker sealed the team victory with a win in straight sets over Arina Campos and Ava Devine, 21-7, 21-12.
The Dons (2-0) are set to host rival San Marcos on Tuesday at 3 p.m. at East Beach, weather permitting.
San Marcos 5, Oaks Christian 0
The Royals swept their season-opening matchup with Oaks Christian on Thursday at Ridgway Courts.
The top San Marcos duo of Cora Loomer and Evyn Miller battled to a two-set win, 25-23, 21-18.
“The game play was high level, making the match fun to watch,” San Marcos head coach Tim Loomer said of the No. 1 matchup. “In the first game, Miller sided out four consecutive game points before she and Loomer reeled off the three points needed to earn the win. In the second game, Loomer and Miller came from behind for the win.”
The Royals’ No. 2 pairing of Paige Hoadley and Charlotte Hastings gritted out a three-set victory of their own, 18-21, 21-16, 15-12.
“In a tightly contested match, Hoadley and Hastings earned the victory through aggressive serving, solid defense, and smart play,” Tim Loomer said.
Alina Stapf and Reese Paskin continued the winning ways with a sweep at the No. 3 court, 21-18, 21-17.
“Stapf’s defense and ball control paired well with Paskin’s blocking and attacking,” Tim Loomer said.
At the No. 4 matchup, Malia Hetrick and Kelsey Rowe took care of their opponents in two sets, 21-16, 21-12.
“Watching Hetrick and Rowe play is a delight. Their communication and tactical approach to matches is a powerful combination,” Tim Loomer said.
Lila Westmacott and Isla McClintock rounded out the victory with a quick 21-9, 21-14 victory at court five.
“Strong serving, tenacious defense, and good ball control propelled [Westmacott and McClintock] to the win,” Tim Loomer said.
The Royals (1-0) will take on Santa Ynez for another non-league matchup on Friday.