New on-campus sand courts dedicated at the beginning of March
Coming off a runner-up finish in the CIF Central Section playoffs in 2024, the Santa Ynez High beach volleyball has gotten off to a 7-4 to the 2025 season. However, the big news with the program is not only how it’s done so far, but where it’s being done.
After playing their home matches at Sunny Fields Park in Solvang for their first three seasons, the Lady Pirates now have an on-campus sand court to call their own thanks to the efforts and generosity to the Pirates Foundation and others.
“It’s really great to have a place here on campus,” said SYHS head coach Melissa Rogers on the court that’s located in the southwest corner of the campus, right along Highway 246. “Playing our games at the park, every practice, every game, I’d have to take the equipment to the park and back to the school, and that was a pain, so we don’t have to worry about that anymore.
“But mainly, I think it’s the camaraderie and the connection with the school, because now other students supporting us,and checking the team out. They weren’t doing a lot of circling back to Sunny Fields Park to watch us play.”
The school dedicated the new court on March 4, with Pirate supporters and contractors and workers who donated time and materials to make the court a reality. Also, sand was delivered from the Guadalupe Dunes for use on the courts.
“It’s really a great facility, we have the grassy berm, where people can sit up high and get a good view of the action,” Rogers said. “Plus, I like the visibility from the highway, having people drive by and say ‘hey, what’s going on here?'”
Rogers also said the court also makes the program more desirable as a tournament host.
“We tried to get [a tournament] here this year, but couldn’t because we didn’t know when the court would be completed,” she said. “Now that we have it done, we would like to get lots of tournaments.”
With the court now done, the emphasis is on the people who play on it. Now that the SYHS girls basketball season is done, Rogers gets back Helina Pecile, who the coach said is one of her top players. Also, Rogers is high on freshman Scarlett Ollenburger, whom she described as a “huge impact player.”
“She’s supremely talented and will definitely be playing at the next level,” Rogers said. “You will be hearing a lot about her.”
Other key players Rogers noted are Arelie Perez, who returns as a senior after taking last season, and Jordan Gann and Natalie Bailey, whom the coach said have been jelling as a team.
The Lady Pirates will be back in action on Thursday, March 20, to kick off Mountain League play with a home match against San Luis Obispo. Game time is 3 p.m.
Girls basketball eliminated from state playoffs in second round
After making it to the final of CIF Central Section Div. IV, the Santa Ynez girls basketball team earned a berth in the CIF state playoffs, coming back to win its first-round game at home March 4, before losing in the second round two days later.
In the first-round game, the Lady Pirates trailed Serra High of Gardena by 6 points with less than two minutes left, but came back to post a 44-40 win. Rylan Agin scored 13 points, included some key free throws to clinch the game.Leighton Casey was also credited for here play coming off the bench.
In the second-round game, Santa Ynez was beaten by third-seeded Granada Hills Charter 53-29, ending its season despite 13 more points from Agin.
“I’m incredibly proud of their achievements and the dedication they’ve shown throughout this season,” girls basketball coach Jennifer Rasmussen said. “We’re excited to build on this momentum and come back even stronger next year!”
The Lady Pirates finished the season with an 18-12 overall record.
Pirates boys golf loses to Arroyo Grande
The Pirates played a dual match against Arroyo Grande on March 10 at Cypress Ridge golf course, with the Eagles winning 393-449.
Brayden Mlodzik was the top SYHS player, shooting a 76. The other scores were Cody Armenta’s 78, Seb Perez’s 91, Max Andrade’s 101, Ernesto Suarez’s 103, and Elijah Navarro’s 113
The Pirates will return to Cypress Ridge today, Jan. 18, for the first Mountain League tourney of the season.
Boys tennis wins tournament bracket
The Pirates boys tennis team wins tourney bracket
The Santa Ynez boys tennis team took part in the California Tennis Classic in Clovis the weekend of March 7-8. The Pirates won their bracket after losing their first two matches, but then beat Torres 6-0 and Mission Oaks 3-3 (6-6, 47-46).
Pirates No. 1 singles Bryce Wilczak did not give up a set in the tournament, winning four matches by identical 6-0 scores.
Santa Ynez played a non-league road match against Laguna Blanca on Monday night, and return to league play Thursday at San Luis Obispo.
