In a season-opening match between two teams on the CIF-SS Division 1-2 Boys Volleyball Watch List, Santa Barbara High lost to Newbury Park in five sets on Wednesday night at J.R. Richards Gym. The scores were 20-25, 28-26. 25-21, 22-25, 15-13.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t our best performance,” Santa Barbara coach Chad Arneson said. “We need to br more consistent to put teams away.”
The Dons let a 24-19 lead get away in the second set and lost 28-26. They fought hard in the fourth set and forced a deciding fifth set.
Sam Meister pounded 26 kills on a .488 hitting percentage to lead the Santa Barbara attack. Alex Rottman had 13 kills and Riley Roach added 12 kills.
“Libero Matt Suh kept us in the game with his tough service (3 aces) and 16 digs,” said Arneson.
In the setting department, Henry Haber dished out 32 assists and Peter Tebbe had 21.
Arneson felt his team didn’t attack enough in the middle.
“We need to get our middles involved if we want to create more opportunities for one-on-one sets. Our two middles had a total of only 13 attempts,” he said.
The Dons face another tough opponent on Friday, playing Mira Costa at El Camino College in Torrance.
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.