CIF Central Section champs take Clairemont High of San Diego to five sets in Santa Ynez gym
After winning its first-ever CIF Central Section Division II title, the Santa Ynez High School boys volleyball team earned a No. 2 seed in the Southern California bracket of the CIF State Division III playoffs and made it to the regional semifinal.
However, in the semifinal, the Pirates lost a closely contested 25-20, 24-26, 25-21, 19-25, 15-13 to No. 3 seed Clairemont High, the San Diego Section Division II champions, May 22 at the Santa Ynez gym.
In their last match, seniors and co-captains Manny Sanchez (60 assists in 131 attempts) and Ben Stuerman (19 kills and 4 stuff blocks in 44 swings) played tough against a tall experienced team in the visiting Chieftains.
Meanwhile, middle hitter Jadon Baily added 5 kills and 4 stuff blocks in 15 attempts, while Griffin Bruner served 15 times and added an explosive defensive spark for the Pirates.
“In the playoff run, we have been fortunate to get great production from both our seniors and a group of talented sophomores,” said Pirates head coach Chip Fenenga. “Nate Biron was so effective as a hitter, tonight he had 22 kills in 45 swings , along with 14 digs to lead the team and clutch service runs including 4 aces. Anders Dietenhofer has emerged in the last weeks as a premiere outside hitter who blasted 19 kills in 38 attempts, adding 2 stuffs and 9 digs. Will Losson served 19 times, had 9 digs and was our top passer for the night with a .243 average, with 3 being perfect. Wyatt Minus added 4 stuff blocks, many in the critical second set.”
Fenenga, who finished the second year of his second stint leading the program he founded (and led to seven CIF Southern Section titles during his first stint at the helm) gave full credit to the opponents.
“Clairemont was very good, they blocked us 17 times and had 7 aces,” he said. “They outdug us 52-41. We helped them with 9 service errors and 9 hitting errors.”
On May 20, the Pirates opened the state playoffs with a 25-23, 25-18, 25-17 win over El Toro High School. The Pirates were led in that match by Anders Dietenhofer with 17 kills, with Biron adding 12 kills and Stuerman 7 kills and 4 stuff blocks. Middle hitter Jadon Bailey was efficient with 6 kills and 4 stuff blocks.
“We are fortunate to have some options on offense and on any given night someone can take over,” said Fenenga after the first-round win. “We were able to side out efficiently with the passing of Anders, Ben and Will Losson.”
Sanchez, the setter, had 40 assists and was efficient looking at matchups and getting the ball to his hitters.
Defensively Stuerman had 11 digs, Losson 17 digs and Dietenhofer 13 digs against the Chargers.
“I really appreciate the great crowd and atmosphere tonight. I was so happy for the team to get this encore performance in front of their fans,” said Fenenga, whose team won its Central Section title in Fresno. “It was an exciting match for us as we haven’t played at home during our CIF run, so I was impressed by their energy and effort,” Fenenga said.
Santa Ynez finished the season with a 22-4 record and a perfect 8-0 in the Mountain League. After beating the Pirates, the Chieftains (28-11 overall) went to lose the regional final in three sets to Sage Hill of Newport Beach, the top seed in the Southern California bracket. Sage Hill in turn defeated the International School of San Francisco 3-0 in the state final.
