In a battle against the third team in the state, LBCC’s men’s volleyball dominated and defeated Santa Barbara 25-18, 25-20, and 25-15 on Thursday, securing their spot in the 3C2A state championship finals.
LBCCs middle blocker, Ethan Hammond, had a total of 11 kills and 17 attacks while playing in all three sets.
“Our MVP of tonight’s game would have to go to Ethan Hammond, number 26. He was killing it out there and he blocked off some really good shots which contributed greatly to our win tonight,” head coach Joshua Nehls said.
When looking forward to the final match, head coach Joshua Nehls spoke about the need to have fun and for the team to do their best.
“When we have fun and try our best we accomplish great things. It’s the finals, we’re super happy that we were peaking at this moment and hope to play a great final game,” Nehls said.
Coming into the game, the Vikings had a mindset of being one together and not just praising themselves but each other as a whole.
“Volleyball is a six-player game. I don’t like to talk about myself like coaches say that’s on my team, that’s on everybody who’s a part of it,” LBCC outside hitter Alden Jacobs said.
Outside hitter Ezekiel Sablan, left, attempts to spike the ball over the net against Santa Barbara Apr. 23. Sablan led the Vikings to a 3-0 victory with 13 kills, to advance to the state championship. (Jacyn King)
This season has been rough for the Vikings with lots of ups and downs, but with the hard work and lineup changes they have persevered.
“Our season has had its ups and downs and after talking to the guys we changed a lot of our lineup and this was the first time Santa Barbara saw our best lineup and the guys came out and showed them this is us peaking today and we gotta keep it that way next round,” Nehls said.
The Vikings had just lost to the opposing team Santa Barbara just weeks prior on Apr. 1 and expected them to come in as a threat leading up to this game.
“They played how we expected them to play but we played how we expected as well and I believe we proved ourselves greatly tonight,” Hammond said.
Jacobs pushed hard during the match against Santa Barbara, resulting in his 19 total attacks as well as 11 kills.
Libero Sergio Garcia, left, eyes the ball while outside hitter Alden Jacobs, right, prepares to spike the ball that was set by another team member against Santa Barbara Apr. 23. The Vikings vanquish the Vanqueros 3-0 and advance to the state championship. (Jacyn King)
The Vikings played in the 3C2A State Championship game on Saturday against the number two team in the state, Golden West, losing 25-17, 25-23, 25-19.
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