A long drive for the Valencia Vikings men's volleyball ended in a thrilling victory in the second round of the CIF Southern Division Division 4 tournament Saturday in Santa Barbara.
The Vikings (22-13) needed five sets to advance to the quarterfinals, but defeated the Laguna Blanca Owls (25-6) on the road 25-23, 13-25, 25-20, 21-25, 15 -7, returned to the regular season and won 8 straight games.
Valencia setter Leo Santonkum had a season-high 38 kills and reached the 30-assist mark for the fourth time this season. Head coach Brendan Reilly said Santonkum, one of three setters, has improved greatly in his first year on the team.
“He's got height and I like his blocking in the front row,” Riley said in a phone interview.
After starting 5-0, the Vikings went back and forth in the fifth set. The key is to stay the course and continue doing what worked well throughout the year, Riley said.
“We can force teams out of their system with our serve, and our serve-receive is exceptional,” Riley said. “So we try to stay in the system as much as possible.”
Outside hitter Jet Ricks led the Vikings with 19 kills, one of three players on the team with double-digit kills. Jarek Pascua had 12 kills and Dane Ricks had 10 kills.
Riley praised his seniors, including the three hitters mentioned above, for their leadership throughout the game.
“This team doesn’t get rattled,” Riley said. “They stay pretty flat whether they're down or up. I think that experience will help us.”
Rix also had three of Valencia's five aces. Libero Nathan Willis had 10 digs.
Riley said Laguna Blanca has done a good job of putting outside hitters in threatening positions, which has put the Vikings in trouble at times. He added that the Owls also had a setter who could set up teammates even when it seemed like they were out of system.
The Vikings are scheduled to play the Quartz Hill Royals (24-12), who defeated Valencia in straight sets in their previous meeting this year, on Wednesday at 5 p.m. The Vikings had just won the Foothill League title the week before the Antelope Valley setback.
But Riley is confident that the Vikings may be able to gain an advantage since this matchup will take place in the Vikings' home gym.
“The attendance has been incredible all year long,” Riley said. “I'm going to take some students there. It's going to be noisy.”
If Valencia wins and wins again in the semifinals, the Vikings could clash in the championship match with the West Ranch Wildcats and another Antelope Valley opponent in the quarterfinals at Wednesday's Paraclete Spirits You will be competing against. That matchup is scheduled for Wednesday at West Ranch at 6 p.m.