One of the local boys volleyball programs ended Saturday's CIF Southern Section Division 4 championship match with a perfect ending, winning the section championship against a league rival.
Foothill League champion Valencia (25-12) will look for its third straight win over West Ranch (24-11) this season, while the Wildcats will do everything they can to claim the CIF crown.
Valencia won both league matches in four sets, with no deuce games and only two sets ending with a difference of less than four points.
The Wildcats are optimistic because they have improved a lot since their last two meetings with the Vikings. Valencia is also improving and believes a third championship is possible, but he also knows he can't take West Ranch for granted.
“Even if we get West Ranch, we're not going to underestimate them,” Valencia captain Jet Ricks said after his team's quarterfinal victory. “We're still going to keep giving 1000% because we know they're a good team. They can definitely beat us, but it's going to be very difficult for them.”
Ricks and senior Jarek Pascua are arguably the best outside hitting duo in the league, and perhaps in all of Division IV. Regardless of which batter is on net, these two give Valencia an advantage on the left side.
“One more thing: We're going to win,” Pascua said. “We're confident against West Ranch. We've beaten them twice before. We're expecting a completely different team. We're not going to let our guard down.”
Ricks' younger brother, Dane Ricks, shines as a left-handed opposite hitter, while middle blockers Mariano Alberto and Dylan McFatridge make it difficult for Valencia to attack.
“I'm glad they were successful too,” Dane said. “I know a lot of the players on the team and it's going to be a great game no matter what happens.”
However, Valencia's defensive anchor sits in the back row wearing a Libero jersey. Junior Nathan Willis has scored more than 300 goals this season, including 23 in the first game against West Ranch. First-year head coach Brendan Reilly has praised his libero all season and will be counting on the junior on Saturday.
“(Willis) is certainly the best libero in the league,” Riley said. “He's an MVP-caliber player, or Defensive Player of the Year. It's rare for a libero to impact the game as much as he does.”
Valencia knows very well how difficult it is to beat a team three times, in addition to beating a league rival who knows all the secrets. West Ranch shared that sentiment, and there was no way any secret weapon could slip through in league play.
“There are no secrets between these two teams,” Cats coach Brandon Johnson said. “If you spend the next week watching movies, you'll know exactly the same things you know about Valencia now. Our sons play in the club together and are friends with each other. No secrets. No surprises. So what does that mean? We have to come out and keep improving. Every ball, we have to focus on the task at hand and play hard.”
West Ranch is led by 1,000 kill man Noah Dufner. The junior struggled with just 14 kills and 10 hit errors in the first round against Valencia, but made a spectacular comeback in the second round, totaling 22 kills and two blocks.
“What Valencia is facing is almost a new West Ranch,” Dufner said. “We know what they're trying to do and they know what we're trying to do. It's going to be a dogfight, but I hope we can come out on top. I think we're a completely different team than the one we played against in the league. They've had a lot of time and experience together, so we could be a better team. I think I've grown the most, so I'm excited.”
There are no secrets, but both coaches know there will be no major changes to their game plans or styles of play.
“I'm a big believer in not changing things just because it's important right now,” Riley said. “If you do what you're good at, that's what happens. But let's see what happens.”
Johnson has said numerous times that his team is at its best when the other Wildcats are putting the ball away. West Ranch will need more timely hits from outside hitter Logan Sanchez, opposite hitter Ethan Pike and middle blocker Lucas Reuter. The middle blocker will display his skills from the end and will be one of several Wildcats to test the Vikes' serve-receive.
Both teams were pushed hard in the Foothill League, playing a total of 15 games after straight sets. League games like this helped the Wildcats and Vikings prepare for the moment that came Saturday.
“I'm very happy and proud of what Castaic has brought to our league,” Johnson said. “I am very happy and proud of them and the contribution they have made to the growth of the sport in this Valley and made this league so competitive this year. It prepared us to be where we are. There's no pressure on us when we go into a game like this. We've been to a place like this a million times and it's ours. It's all thanks to the league. It's all thanks to the teams in our league pushing us.”
If the team continues to serve and pass like they have throughout the postseason, Valencia could win their third championship. In addition to more significant blocking, West Ranch also needs a stronger serve, some of the strengths it has shown this season.
All is on the line this weekend as West Ranch looks for its first sectional title and Valencia looks for its fourth sectional title. The two sides are scheduled to face off once again Saturday at 6 p.m. at College of the Canyons in what is sure to be the biggest game of the season.
Johnson added, “The city of Santa Clarita has always had a great volleyball tradition, most of which begins and ends in Valencia. With that said, we look forward to solidifying West Ranch's volleyball tradition starting in 2024. It’s really great to be able to do that.”
