Spring sports teams returned to the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe on Monday to provide updates as most head into the final month of the regular season.
Plenty of local teams have been turning heads throughout the spring season, and they will have a chance to cement their spots in the playoffs with strong performances down the stretch against their rivals.
One of those teams is San Marcos boys volleyball, which has been ranked as high as top 10 in the nation according to MaxPreps this season.
The Royals are now 23-2 on the season and 6-1 in Channel League play, with the one loss coming from crosstown rival Santa Barbara High.
While the Dons hold the top spot in the league, San Marcos will get a chance to take on another local rival in Dos Pueblos, who is currently in third place, on Tuesday inside the Thunderhut.
“That’ll be a barnburner in the Thunderhut,” Royals coach Roger Kuntz said. “All three (local Channel League teams) are outstanding. So, flip a coin, but hopefully we’ll get the coin flip tomorrow.”
Another team that has put together a strong season is Santa Barbara High baseball, who currently stand at 15-3 and lead the Channel League with a 7-1 record. They have won five in a row and 11 of their last 12 matchups.
“The pitching and defense are about where we expected and the hitting is starting to fire up a little bit,” Santa Barbara coach Steve Schuck said.
The Dons have a big week ahead, as they will take on crosstown rival and third-place San Marcos (10-10-1, 5-2-1 Channel League) twice.
The first matchup will be on Tuesday at San Marcos and then the Dons will turn around and host Friday’s game. Both will begin at 3:30 p.m.
“That should be high energy, exciting and a good contest to see where we’re really at,” Schuck said.
This Week in Local Sports
Along with the volleyball matchup and the Big Game rivalry baseball series, there are a number of crosstown showdowns this week to circle on your calendars.
Tuesday, April 9
- Dos Pueblos @ San Marcos Boys Volleyball, 6:30 p.m.
- Santa Barbara @ San Marcos Baseball, 3:30 p.m.
- San Marcos @ Santa Barbara Softball, 3:30 p.m.
- Cate @ Laguna Blanca Boys Tennis, 3:30 p.m.
- Bishop Diego @ Santa Barbara Boys Golf (SB Golf Course), 1:30 p.m.
- Dos Pueblos @ Cate Girls Lacrosse, 5:30 p.m.
- Cate @ Dos Pueblos Boys Lacrosse, 6 p.m.
Thursday, April 11
- Santa Barbara @ Dos Pueblos Boys Volleyball, 6:30 p.m.
- Laguna Blanca vs. Bishop Diego Boys Golf (SB Municipal)
- San Marcos vs. Santa Barbara Boys Golf (Sandpiper), 1 p.m.
- Santa Barbara @ Dos Pueblos Boys Tennis, 3 p.m.
- Cate @ San Marcos Girls Lacrosse, 6 p.m.
- San Marcos @ Cate Boys Lacrosse, 4:30 p.m.
Friday, April 12
- San Marcos @ Santa Barbara Baseball, 3:30 p.m.
- Santa Barbara @ San Marcos Softball, 3:30 p.m.
Student-athletes in attendance, by order of presentation
San Marcos Baseball: Jaxx Satterfield, Palmer Kostrzewa
San Marcos Boys Volleyball: Dodge Rivadeneyra, Calvin Frisell, Ayden Welch
San Marcos Track & Field: Ava Carter, Avery Leck, Kiala Haas, TJ Deakyne, Tommy Fealy
SBCC Track & Field: Ryan Gregory, Selma Jensen
Santa Barbara High Baseball: Matthew Crolius, Kaden Spencer
Bishop Diego Baseball: JJ Mercier, Shane Caballero
Bishop Diego Boys Golf: Dominic DeRosa, Nathan Borgatello
Santa Barbara High Boys Tennis: Cooper Lender, Ian Poe
Santa Barbara High Girls Beach Volleyball: Keenan Engebretson, Gwen Chenoweth
Carpinteria High Track & Field: Sebastian Hernandez, Averi Alexander, Lela Roberts
Dos Pueblos Track & Field: Gabriel Runyen, Alix Hollingsworth, Ashton Smedley, Myles Shaddix
Dos Pueblos Baseball: Santiago Perez, Jonny Rogers, Lukas Ginder
Santa Barbara High Boys Golf: Alex Ortega, Graham Chapman
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