Vaqueros Host Tough Orange Coast in First Match in Rob Gym

By Jimmy Friery

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – In an early-season Men's Volleyball bout between two of last year's State semifinalists, Orange Coast defeated Santa Barbara on Friday night in four sets—25-19, 25-21, 25-27, 25-23.

"OCC is traditionally one of the top teams in the state, so we knew going into this match that we were going to need to bring our 'A' game," head coach Bridget Kulesh said. "Playing them early in the season is a great learning opportunity, especially for the freshmen, to see the level of focus and commitment needed for us to be successful."

Following an opening night win at Santiago Canyon on Wednesday, the Vaqueros were primed for their first official match in UCSB's Rob Gym. They traded points with Orange Coast to an even 10-10 score to start the first set. The visitors pulled away a bit from there, taking a 20-15 lead and preventing the Vaqueros from getting within four the rest of the set. It would finish 25-19.

Set two began similarly as the teams began tied at 10 once again. An Orange Coast 4-1 run followed, but Santa Barbara soon caught back up, down just one at 16-15. A Vaquero kill forced a timeout at 20-20, and it was suddenly a five-point set. A huge solo block by Dos Pueblos product Nick Schultz temporarily gave the hosts the lead, but Orange Coast responded by winning the next five points, clinching the set with an ace, to take a 2-0 advantage.

Hoping to avoid a sweep, the Vaqueros held a steady three-or-four-point lead until increasing it to 13-8. Orange Coast clawed back to tie it at 19 apiece, taking the lead on the next point. The teams traded consecutive side outs before Santa Barbara escaped match point and won the next one to make the score 25-24. Soon after, Mykolas Petritias went off the block to keep the match alive as the Vaqueros won the third set in extra points, 27-25.

In the fourth, a difficult start for the Vaqueros put them down 9-4. However, they would rattle off a 5-2 run to stay competitive. While cutting the deficit to one as early as 18-17, they would wait until 23-23 to tie the score, forcing an Orange Coast timeout. Out of it, a Vaquero service error hit barely too strong made it match point Orange Coast, who won it with a kill on the next point.

Petritias led the team with 17 kills, hitting .303, with nine digs. Ayden Welch and Devon Russell shared setting duties, tallying 24 and 22 assists, respectively. Luke Steinert had a team-leading 14 digs, while Schultz's seven blocks (two solo) were a Vaquero-best.

"Sophomores Mykolas Petritias and Luke Steinert really took command of the court in this match," Kulesh added. "Luke's serve receive and defense allowed us to attack in system often, and Mykolas found his rhythm attacking.

"I hope we have the opportunity to play OCC in the postseason this year," she concluded.

Santa Barbara (1-1) looks ahead to Tuesday next week, hosting Irvine Valley at 2 p.m. in Rob Gym, before traveling to reigning State champion Golden West on Friday.