The Pirates boys’ volleyball team had a good week to begin their season. On Tuesday night, the team traveled to three-time defending Pac 7 champion Arroyo Grande where the Pirates defeated the Eagles 15-25, 25-19, 25-17, 26-24.
Andrew Wolinsky led all hitters with 20 kills, 5 aces and 3 stuffs. Out of the middle, Josh Avery got the Pirates started with a huge, quick kill off a Marcos Cromack pass and Dane Bolitho set. Cromack ended the match with 16 digs and a solid 2.1 passing average. Bolitho added 15 assists and 6 kills to help lead the Pirates.
Kristian Squires added 16 assists, most of them to Wolinsky, who was hitting from both the front and back row.
“I was very pleased with how we responded – and especially the play of Avery (6 kills and 2 stuffs) and Elliott Wilcox (6 kills and 4 stuffs) in the middle. While we missed probably a team career-high number of serves, our passing was sharp with Cromack, Wolinsky and Wyatt Garley giving both setters multiple options,” said Coach Chip Fenenga.
On Friday night the team travelled to Santa Barbara High to meet the 4-time defending Channel League Champion Dons in an early test of traditional volleyball powers. The Pirates lost 25-15, 25-19, 22-25, 25-9 but had moments against a more experienced and taller team. Wolinsky again led the team with 15 kills and 2 stuffs followed by Bolitho with 7 kills and Garley, with 6 kills and 3 aces.
“We dramatically cut down on our unforced errors tonight, served better and passed well, but their blocking and hitting were really sharp,” said Fenenga.
Garley, Cromack and Wolinsky combined for 21 digs and all passed well for the Pirates. Wilcox sparked the Pirates at the start of game 3 with 2 of his 3 stuffs, and that momentum carried the Pirates to the game win. “The kids dug some rockets and played well against one of the top teams in all CIF, so I am pleased with our growth. Bolitho and Squires played poised and made good decisions setting; it’s just that Santa Barbara is taller, deeper and really moved well as a team this early in the season. The Pirates are 1-1 with their next home game on Tuesday against San Luis Obispo at 6 p.m.
The boys JV team had a great first week with a 17-25, 25-16, 15-9 win at Arroyo Grande. Russ Fenenga set well for the Pirates often using Mitchel Oaks (10 kills), Michael Stinson (8 kills) or Jordan Hanly (7 kills). Hanly had the match-ending kill on a quick set from Fenenga. Against Santa Barbara, the Pirates lost 25-15, 25-23 with Andrew Plamer stepping in and playing well along with Kyle Simpson.
— Staff Report