On Feb. 23, University High School Boys’ Volleyball suited up against Capistrano Valley in a non-league game. Coming off of an 8-4 record to start the season, the Trojans looked to prove themselves as strong competitors before their first league game against Portola. This game added another win to their record as they defeated the Cougars.
The Trojans started strong by playing to their strengths, maximizing their service opportunities and taking advantage of their powerful hitters. University started the game by winning six points before the Cougars could respond to their servers. Setting the tone for the rest of the game, the Trojans won the first set 21-9 and seemed to be on pace to sweep the Cougars 3-0.
“We started off the game strongly,” sophomore Brian Nguyen said. “Our scrappy defense and well-rounded offense was very consistent.”
During the second set, junior outside hitter Luke McHenry consistently received serves from the Cougars and was the Trojans’ primary defensive weapon. They handily won the second set 21-15, and the game looked all but over. With a 2-0 lead, the Trojans only needed one more set to win the match.
However, momentum shifted when junior standout player Collin Hiller suffered an injury midway into the game. This disrupted the Trojans’ rhythm and led to them losing their third set against the Cougars.
“Shoutout to Collin Hiller,” senior captain Sky Jafar said. “It sucks not being able to have him for the rest of the season.”
Stepping up in place of Hiller was junior middle Cole Barkett. Barkett was one player the Trojans could count on to make a play when they needed it most.
“Our middle blocker, Cole Barkett, played great in the game,” Nguyen said. “His hitting was always consistent, and his blocking was nothing short of perfection.”
The Trojans needed to win the fourth set to prevent a Cougars comeback. They started the set off shaky by missing a few hits, but the game was over once they could serve consistently.
“In the third set, our serves struggled a bit,” Jafar said. “But we managed to bring it back in the fourth set and win the game.”
The Trojans look to keep their momentum going in their next game on March 14 against Woodbridge High.
