The improvement from the Santa Barbara High boys volleyball team was on full display Friday night in its five-set victory over San Marcos at J.R. Richards Gym.
The Dons received contributions from everyone to pull out a 23-25, 26-24, 23-25, 27-25, 15-11 marathon and hand San Marcos its first league loss.
Santa Barbara was swept by the Royals in their first meeting. Both teams are now 5-1 in league.
“This was definitely our biggest win for the season,” said Santa Barbara coach Chad Arneson. “Our boys continue to grow as a team and learn how to feed off of each other. Everyone of the team contributed.”
Junior setter and captain Ford Harman set the pace for the Dons in the back-and-forth match, handing out 48 assists to go with eight kills and eight digs.
“He had his best game tonight,” said Arneson.
Ford Harman’s distribution enabled three Dons to record double figures in kills. Raglan Kear led the way with 20 kills, Will Harman had 14 kills and four blocks, and middle Mikey Denver put away 13 kills.
Jackson Dejong added five kills and contributed three blocks.
“We had some clutch hitting in crucial situations tonight,” said Arneson.
Kear was a force at the service line, ripping eight aces.
“Raglan was on fire when we needed him,” said Arneson.
He praised libero Dana Whitney, who had a passing average of 2.63 out of 3.0.
Sophomore basketball star Luke Zuffelato was key in the fifth set as he put away some overpasses
“His game is raw but he’s so talented and we’re lucky to have him on our team.”
Mason Rice led three San Marcos players in double-figure kills with 18, Jackson Wilson had 15 kills and Luke Waker put away 12.
Libero Cliff Ficker and setter Hansen Streeter paced the San Marcos defense with 15 and 13 digs, respectively.
The Royals are back in action Saturday at the Dos Pueblos Invitational at the UCSB Thunderdome.