Boys’ volleyball won the North Coast Section [NCS] Division II Champions for the 5th straight year, after defeating Las Lomas on Friday, May 22, in 3 sets, 25-14, 25-23 and 25-12.
The Cougars got out to a fast start in the 1st set, setting effective blocks and slapping down early kills. This success continued late into the 2nd set when the Cougars were up 19-13 and eventually 24-16. But Las Lomas stormed back, scoring 7 straight points. The score went from 24-18 to 24-23, but a huge kill by senior Ryan First finally put the set away for the Cougars. First finished the night with 11 kills.
Sophomore Gage Worsley said that maintaining poise was critical in not letting the 2nd set slip away. “We stayed calm and knew that we could outplay them,” he said. “We definitely had better personnel and the drive.”
Coach Dave Chen added that, “the guys were very poised and ready to come back and respond.”
Campolindo was forced to play without some of their starters, including University of Hawaii bound senior Joe Worsley, the older brother of Gage, who was sidelined with an abdominal strain. “We had to make a few adjustments in our lineup and positioning, but we were still able to pull through,” said the younger Worsley, who finished with 8 kills.
Senior Charlie Mattox said that Las Lomas posed a significant challenge. “Las Lomas is a good team with strong players including Alexis Behrooz who made it hard for us and gave us a match,” he said.
Behrooz, the Diablo Foothill Athletic League [DFAL] Most Valuable Player was instrumental in Las Lomas’s second set comeback and accounted for 3 of the 7 points scored in Las Lomas’s run.
“This is a team that is peaking right now and playing very hard in the playoffs,” added Chen of Las Lomas. “It’s very hard to play a team like that.”
Nevertheless, the Cougars won the 3rd set by 13 points. Senior setter Yize Dong smashed a kill to end the match.
The team gathered to receive their plaque, and individual medals From Principal John Walker, Athletic Director Tom Renno and a California Interscholastic Federation representative.
After the match, in his post game speech, Chen praised the whole team, especially his seniors for their successes over their years at Campolindo. “You guys did a phenomenal job. You guys have been great. Five medals, that’s a lot. Tonight I wanted to prove something and that’s what you did,” he said.
According to Chen, this group of seniors has contributed a lot to the team. “They’ve established a great program and after leaving, will make it a better place than it started. Can’t say enough about these seniors,” he said.
“It feels great,” said Mattox. “There’s nothing like it, honestly. I can’t wait to get to NorCals and finish our mission,” he said.
According to Maxpreps.com, Campolindo is now ranked 4th in the nation.
