Jasper Caffo and Tadem Tzeto blocks on defense
The Dons (18-1 overall) defeated Hillsdale (3-12 overall) in dominant fashion, winning a sweep three sets to zero. The Dons are off to a red hot start this season winning eighteen of their first nineteen games including a perfect 6-0 record in the Peninsula Athletic League Bay division.
Unlike their start to the season the Dons started the first set a little cold. Likely due to the fact that the Dons only had two practices leading up to the contest, with a week off entirely for spring break. A few timely kills from senior captain Cameron Sears allowed the Dons to bounce back. The Dons took a 9-5 lead over the Knights but it quickly evaporated, as the Knights tied the set at ten. Again the Dons were able to lean on their powerful hitters in seniors Luke Phillips and Sears. On top of the hitters, senior libero James Diaz helped the team slow the Knights attack. The Dons eventually won the first set 25-23, with Cameron Sears scoring the set point.
In the second set the back and forth nature of the match continued. Midway through the set the game seemed to shift into the Dons’ control. Key assists by sophomore setter Santiago Smirnoff allowed the hitters to continue imposing their will offensively.
“Our team dynamic came together today,” Phillips said.
We usually struggle with sharing the ball, but today we got everyone involved. It helped us a lot offensively because Hillsdale couldn’t just focus on trying to limit one hitter.
Luke Phillips
The Dons eventually ran away with the second set after a few Hillsdale scoring runs stalled out. Junior Tadem Szeto scored the set point for the Dons.
Heading into the third set the Dons were feeling themselves, and it showed. Phillips found his stroke at the beginning of the third set. He scored consecutive kills and consistently put up points for the Dons. The true domination present in the third set came when junior Isaac Nagao checked into the game. He recorded five kills in his limited playing time, and his kills came in all different ways. His plus/minus of plus six was second on the team behind Sears and allowed the Dons to build a 22-12 lead in the set. Nagao attributed his success to his teammates.
Our captains really bring up the energy and motivate us in practice and in games. They always push us to play to our potential. We played really well as a team today, which helped us on offense and defense.
Isaac Nagao
With the Dons’ reserves in, the Knights were able to scratch their way back into the game by going a 7-2 run. With the momentum on the Knights’ side of the net it looked as if a comeback was possible. Facing the late surge by the Knights, head coach Dean Hala’ufia looked to her senior leaders to close the game. Diaz and Phillips both checked back in with the sweep on the line and delivered with strong defense. Eventually the set was won by the Dons on a service error committed by Hillsdale.
Although the game ended in a convincing victory for the Dons, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. They had to control the little things over the course of the match. They overcame both small deficits and quelled multiple surges by Hillsdale. Coach Hala’ufia credited the senior leaders with keeping the team resilient and having a growth mindset.
“We don’t look at the big mountain,” Hala’ufia said. “We just look at one step at a time.”
Sears currently sits at fourth in the country for total kills this season. Sears added 18 kills to his resume in the match against Hillsdale. Right behind him was Phillips who recorded 13 kills. Assists from these kills mostly came from Smirnoff, who ended with 27 total assists.
As the Dons continue their season they hope to carry their success into the CCS playoffs.
“We need to stay confident, stay consistent with our practices, and play our game.” Phillips said.
The Dons hope to build on their historic season and climb the mountain of success all the way to the top, one step at a time.
