Round Table Luncheon: San Marcos, Santa Barbara to Square Off in Two Rivalry Matchups

After a short one-week break due to Labor Day, local fall sports teams returned to the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe on Monday.

The high school and collegiate fall coaches and players gave updates on their squads a few weeks into the season as league play ramps up for certain sports.

One of those sports is girls volleyball, where San Marcos and Santa Barbara High are set to square off for a crosstown rivalry matchup on Tuesday inside the Thunderhut at 6:30 p.m.

“It should be a fun matchup, big rivalry games are always a good time,” Dons coach Kristin Hempy said. “We’re looking forward to it.”

At the college level, UCSB women’s volleyball is in the midst of a tough non-conference schedule and currently sits at 2-4 on the young season with losses to ranked squads Georgia, Florida State and Arizona State.

The road doesn’t get any easier for head coach Matt Jones and the Gauchos, as they will welcome No. 2-ranked Stanford to the Thunderdome on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

“We have competed well against some top 25 teams in the country,” Jones said. “We’re learning a lot about our team and I think we’re making progress with a younger group.

“Our gym is air-conditioned, so if you want to see some really high level volleyball not in this heat, I highly encourage you to come out and watch what will undoubtedly be one of the top five teams in the country.”

In other sports, the Dons and Royals will also face off in a rivalry showdown on the gridiron with girls flag football. The two teams will play on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Peabody Stadium.

“If you haven’t done so yet, please come out and watch girls flag football because it’s amazing,” San Marcos coach Jaylon Letendre said.

The week will be capped off by another round of high school football games with local teams in action on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, Santa Barbara High will host Moorpark in a battle of undefeated teams, San Marcos will be on the road against Buena and the Dos Pueblos Chargers will play their home opener against Viewpoint after three weeks on the road.

“We’re really excited about this week, we finally get a home game and don’t have to be on a bus to go somewhere,” Dos Pueblos coach AJ Pateras said.

Meanwhile, Bishop Diego and Carpinteria High will play their football games on Saturday. The Cardinals will host Northgate at La Playa Stadium at 1 p.m. while the Warriors are on the road against San Gabriel.