The Lakewood boys’ volleyball team is seeded No. 2 in the CIF Southern Section Division 2 bracket, and the Lancers came out like championship contenders at home in the first round against Channel islands. Lakewood led wire to wire in a 25-10, 25-18, 25- 20 sweep.
The most drama came during the third set, when a cockroach scuttled its way under the Lakewood bench, running through the legs of several chairs before Lakewood boys athletic director Mike Wadley squashed it.
Lancers coach Devon Taylor didn’t love what he saw from his team, despite the lopsided result.
“It’s not what I expected,” he said. “I’m glad they fought and pushed us, we need to intensify and get in the gym and get some more energy.”
In the first set, the Lancers’ aggressive serves, particularly from Kyler Tufuga, rocked the Raiders back. Tufuga had a 9-0 service run that included six aces, part of a 12-ace effort from the Lancers.
Tufuga led with 14 kills, seven aces, and eight digs. BYU commit Teilon Tufuga had eight kills and three digs.
The Lancers will be on the road in the second round against Saddleback Valley Christian on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Wilson def. Simi Valley 3-0 > The Bruins swept their way into the second round, 25-22, 25-22, 25-18.
Wilson was led by Josh Lambert’s 10 kills and Robby Metscher’s eight kills on .500 hitting. Alex Witz and Payne Lounsbery had six kills apiece.
The Bruins will host Misison Viejo on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the second round of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs.
St. Anthony def. Sage Hill 3-0 > The Saints took care of business against Sage Hill as the Division 4 bracket’s top seed swept in the first round, 25-17, 25-16, 28-26.
The Saints were led by Eamon Pool Harris’ 12 kills and 10 digs, backed up by Aidan Grosz’s 10 kills, four aces, and three blocks. Brandon Barry had a no-error match in the middle with eight kills and three blocks. Setter Nick Aguilar had 28 assists and two aces.
The Saints will play at Murrieta on Thursday in the second round.
