San Marcos girls volleyball coach Tina Brown felt her team was at a crossroads going into the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions after it was swept by Dos Pueblos in an emotional Channel League match on Thursday at home.
“We had two ways to go,” said Brown at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon.
Fortunately for Brown and co-coach Dwayne Hauschild, the Royals decided to turn things around, played great volleyball over the weekend and reached the finals. They lost to Division 1 fourth-ranked Mira Costa.
“Our kids came back and played the most unbelievable volleyball I’ve ever seen them play in the Tournament of Champions,” said Brown.
It started with five-set comeback victory over Westview of San Diego. The Royals trailed 2-0 in sets and won the next three, taking the deciding fifth set 15-13.
“It was a turnaround moment for our team,” said Brown.
The Dos Pueblos girls volleyball team realized its potential after finishing second to a strong Sierra Canyon team at the Royal Tournament a couple of weeks ago.
“We were like at the ceiling and couldn’t quite burst through to beat a good team,” coach Megan O’Carroll said. “We were having no problem beating the teams we should beat but the ones that challenged us, we couldn’t finish it.
“Taking second at the Royal Tournament was a huge win for us. The girls played incredible; that was like the catalyst they needed to break through and realize they can beat good teams and that we are a good team.”
The Chargers rode that momentum into Channel League and took their first three matches, including the sweep at San Marcos.
“That was a big accomplishment for our girls to realize it was doable and possible,” said O’Carroll.
She knows, however, the Royals will have fire in their eyes when they play the return match at DP.
“We know when they come to visit us in a couple of weeks it’s going to be bloody and it’s going to be a rough one,” she said. “But we’re going to be ready and we’re excited.
“I think (the sweep at San Marcos) gave our team the confidence it needed. We’re not just a good team, we’re a great team.”
Here is a recap of what the high school coaches said about the athletes they brought to the luncheon:
Santa Barbara Boys Water Polo
Coach Mark Walsh on Adam Coffin: “He’s really starting to turn it on for us. He’s a great offensive player; he’s been great for us. He’s a great student and is looking at some outstanding schools to either play at or attend next year.”
On Adam Kubinyi: “Adam has been a pleasant surprise for us. He’s really an unselfish player, a behind the scenes kind of guy. He doesn’t score a lot of goals but he’s usually getting 3-4 steals, 3-4 assist a game. He makes a lot of really good decisions for our team. He plays his game and makes our team win.”
San Marcos Girls Volleyball
Coach Tina Brown on setter Ashley Day: “She splits our running of offense and has figured out that she is a key role for us. We’re really excited about her.”
On outside hitter Madison Oriskovich: “She continues to get better and improve everyday.”
On outside hitter Taylor Wilson: “She is pretty much our horse; she just goes after it and is solid.”
Carpinteria Football
Coach Mario Robinson on Gage Dinning: Gage is willing to step in anywhere we need him to play. A couple of weeks ago we lost our punt return and Gage was willing to go back there and give a shot. And he’s done a great job. He had 50 yard return Friday night.”
On Ever Santamaria: “He came back from injury and started at linebacker this week. He assisted on some good tackles, played slot receiver and had a 50-yard catch.”
Santa Barbara High Girls Tennis
Coach Danny Echt on Hannah Mendez: “She is our lone senior and is captain. A great soul, wonderfully positive attitude; very cool under fire. Hannah makes hard work look easy. I respect her determination.”
On Heidi Hatton: Heidi is incredibly gifted athletically; we might be looking at a three-sport athlete. Heidi has been working really hard on her tennis game in the offseason. She’s developed a great serve and strong fundamentals.”
Bishop Diego Girls Volleyball
Athletic Director Mike Cano, speaking for coach Dillan Bennett, on Ashlyn Oxton-Madrigal: “She played a big role in a win over Santa Clara. Her attacking at the net has improved significantly in the past few weeks. She’s become a smarter blocker.”
On Amanda Garcia: “She’s become a go-to player off the bench in specific situations.”
Bishop Diego Football
Cano, speaking for coach Tom Crawford, on Ben Ortiz: “He exemplifies the all-round athlete. He was scheduled to play tight end this year, but because of injuries to offensive line we asked him to go back to O-line and he didn’t blink an eye.”
On defensive back Kaio Tuttle: “He’s new to varsity this year. He got his first start at safety against Chicago Hope. In addition to making six tackles, he made a key interception late in the game. He’s going to play a key role going forward.”
Laguna Blanca Football
Coach Shane Lopes on Sangay Sherpa: On Friday, Sangay played six different positions. He never complains. He’s a quick learner and we can rely on him in those tough situations.”
On Harrison Jones: “He knows how to be aggressive and it’s really hard to teach that and instill that toughness. Harrison has it as a first-year player, which we really appreciate.”
Laguna Blanca Girls Volleyball
Coach Jason Donnelly on outside hitter Audrey Murphy: “She keeps me posted on things I need to be aware of that are going on with our team. She challenges me in ways to think about things that can help our team grow and she’s achieved a high level success in a lot of areas of her life. She’s an outstanding student, she’s performed at Carniege Hall, she’s a great soccer player. She’s great for our team and is showing fantastic leadership along with really solid play.”
On middle Ella Delwiche: “As Ella’s confidence has been rising so has her game. Offensively, she’s been so good and getting so much better that she hits all kinds of different spots along the net and has been successful. She’s been getting close to double digit kills against every team we play. It’s been great to see her grow.”
Laguna Blanca Girls Tennis
Coach Rob Cowell on Katherine Monroy: “She’s been the No. 1 player for me four years. She’s really settled into her role, she’s almost like an assistant coach to me. She helps a lot with the new kids on the team. All the girls have so much respect for her. On top of being an incredible athlete, this year she has become a leader and stepped into the role really well.
On Lucy Cao: “A Jill of all trades, she’s just a dominant athlete out there. All the girls on the team want to be her doubles partner. She’s just so supportive. It seems like she flies around the tennis court, she can cover any ball.”
San Marcos Boys Water Polo
Coach Peera Sukavivatanachai on Liam McCarthy: “He’s a senior center defender. He creates opportunities for us in transition and in the front court as well. In our Ventura game, he drew 6-7 exclusions.”
On junior Jackson Hamilton: This is his third year on varsity, so he brings with him a wealth of knowledge. This is second year starting as well. He is one of our vocal leaders on the team. If it’s not my voice you hear on the pool deck, it’s his in the water.”
On junior Daniel Goldberg: “This is his third year on varsity and second year starting. We’re very fortunate to have him.”
Carpinteria Girls Volleyball
Coach Sergio Castaneda, speaking for coach Dino Garcia, on sophomore Rayanna Beaver: “She’s been putting in a lot of work all season long. She’s improved a lot already and it’s distinguishably noticeable since the beginning of the season.”
On senior Sadie Mead: “She brings intensity to court and plays without fear. She’s one of the go-to outside hitters, and the hitting power of the team wouldn’t be the same without her.”
Carpinteria Boys Water Polo
Coach Castaneda on sophomore Mateo Handall: T”his guy has got loads of talent. As a freshman he was a starter and last year we had seven stellar seniors. He’s got a wonderful work ethic. He just does everything to absolute perfection — basically, a coach’s dream. He works really well with the rest of team.
On Coby Gonzalez: “This guy really embodies the soul of water polo for me. He’s our 2-meter man and anytime he get the ball and has the opportunity, he’s going to do everything in his power to get that ball in the cage; great work ethic as well.”
San Marcos Football
Coach Jason Fowle on senior running back Henry Herrera: “We leaned on his outstanding effort all night (in 20-14 win over Channel Islands). We needed a score at the end and we got one with Henry and the help offensive line. Henry has a unique combination of power, speed and elusiveness I just call him a Cadillac. He looks like a Cadillac out there.”
On senior Isaac Sotelo: “Isaac is leader who sets the example for our kids. On defense, he stepped up and really kept us in the game when the offense wasn’t really clicking.”
On junior Jorge Medina: “Pound for pound he’s our best athlete. He’s played three position on the offensive line. He’s a go-to guy for us.”
Dos Pueblos Girls Volleyball
Coach Megan O’Carroll on senior setter Mikayla Butzke: “She had an incredible match against San Marcos, a triple-double in three sets, which is pretty impressive. We go to her a lot. She’s amazing.
On sophomore libero Erin Curtis: “Against San Marcos, she had 17 digs, even more amazingly she received over 60 percent of the serves. She did not crumble. She was a total fighter the whole match.”
On senior middle Becky McKinny: “She has really come into her own this year and and has put up some great numbers for us.”
Dos Pueblos Boys Water Polo
Coach Bryan Snyder on Rex Goodner: “He’s a left-handed attacker and those are a rare commodity. There’s a stigma that left-handed attackers can’t play defense, however, Rex is a phenomenal defender.”
On Aiden Trager, sophomore goalie: “Aiden is fairly new to the position — I think he’s been playing it less than a year and he’s already improved from where he started, of course. He has tons of potential, a lot of raw talent. The more he’s learning, the better he’s getting.”
— Noozhawk Sports Editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
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