From Staff Reports: It was nineteen days ago when the La Salle boys volleyball program took the long ride into downtown Long Beach to take on Camino Real League power St. Anthony. On that night, the unbeaten Saints defeated the Lancers in a four-set match, and in a contest that each of those four games […]
From Staff Reports:
It was nineteen days ago when the La Salle boys volleyball program took the long ride into downtown Long Beach to take on Camino Real League power St. Anthony.
On that night, the unbeaten Saints defeated the Lancers in a four-set match, and in a contest that each of those four games was decided by the minimum two points.
Heading into last night’s showdown, St. Anthony and La Salle were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the most recent (April 30) CIF-Southern Section Division 4 poll, and in that order.
It’s been said a champion’s true character isn’t measured by the way they respond in good times, it’s how they react to failures that define that person, athlete or program.
Based on that model, La Salle responded in the best possible way when they hosted St. Anthony in the Camino Real League and regular season finale.
The Lancers earned a share of that league championship after their 25-22, 17-25, 25-21 and 25-16 victory over the Saints.
Will Dalgarn led the way with 21 kills and 19 digs.
Anton Aritz added 11 kills and 4 blocks.
Tommy Nigero finished with 8 kills and 2 blocks.
Brandon King had 34 digs.
And last, but certainly not least, junior CJ Rettig chipped in 15 kills and 17 digs in the win.
La Salle will await their CIF-SS Division 4 bracket, and they know they could very well find themselves in a third collision course with the Saints and for the champs.
Quotable:
La Salle junior CJ Rettig: “This was a great win for our program as we head into the playoffs on a roll. We overcame a powerful St. Anthony’s team, but we went on great runs which led to momentum and led us to our 13-point difference in our game 4 win to close out the match. Big plays were made by Tommy Nigro, Anton Aritz, and Will Dalgarn throughout the game, but what got us the win was the team effort.”
La Salle senior Will Dalgarn: “Tonight, we played really well as a team and I think that’s the main reason we won. We didn’t get down on each other and just trusted everything we had been practicing since our last meeting them (St. Anthony), and we executed well.”
La Salle senior Anton Aritz: “We had lost to St. Anthony’s the first time we played them this year. We came in hungry with the home court advantage and took the first set with energy. We really came together as a team and dominated, connecting with our setters and putting the ball away for the last two sets. Our team on the bench and the fans helped us dominate and take the title as Co League Champs.”
Records: St. Anthony (22-4, 10-1); La Salle (20-6, 10-1)
