The Chula Vista High School boys volleyball team is enjoying one of its finest seasons in years. The proof hangs on the wall of the school gymnasium.
The Spartans last won a league championship banner in 1997.
However, Chula Vista has a chance to secure no worse than a co-championship by defeating host Castle Park on Friday in the Metro-Pacific League finale for both teams. The Spartans improved to 4-1 in league play, 18-4 overall, after defeating visiting Sweetwater 25-19, 27-25, 25-17 on Wednesday.
A 5-1 league record would tie Hilltop (4-1 in league, 20-8 overall) for this year’s Metro-Pacific League championship should the Lancers also emerge victorious in their final regular season game. However, should either of the two current co-leaders falter in their final league game, only one team could end up with the championship.
Hilltop moved into a tie atop the league standings after defeating visiting Chula Vista 25-14, 25-15, 25-22 last Friday. Previously, the Spartans defeated the Lancers 25-17, 25-21, 19-25, 21-25, 15-12 on their home court on April 24.
Hilltop scored a gutsy come-from-behind win over Castle Park (2-3, 11-6) on Wednesday 25-22, 22-25, 22-25, 25-19, 15-6 to keep pace with Chula Vista. The Lancers close out league play at Sweetwater (0-5, 10-17) on Friday.
The big one
Momentum is already building among Spartan players for Friday’s crucial game at CPHS, the No. 2-ranked team in Division IV.
“The guys are very excited, they’re up for the challenge,” CVHS coach Joey Espinoza said after Wednesday’s match against the Red Devils. “We’ve preached being a family. Everyone plays for the guy next to them.”
Demitrious Gibbs tallied 10 kills to lead the Spartans on Wednesday while Greg Fernandez and Andrew Raffe both recorded eight kills.
Espinoza attributed the team’s success this season (Chula Vista finished 6-19 last year) to hard work and team chemistry.
“They come out and work hard every day,” the CVHS coach explained. “They have more of a drive to win than they did last year.”
Espinoza said the team’s strength is its offense.
“Our hitters can put the ball away at any time,” the Spartan coach said.
Espinoza said the team set three goals at the start of the season: to win 75 percent of its game, to win the league title and win the San Diego Section Division III championship.
“So far, it looks like we might be two-for-two,” the CVHS coach noted. “We started the season off faster than I thought we would have and have progressed from there. Every game we’re taking steps forward. It’s great that our league is so competitive. It makes us better every game.”
As for a CIF title? The Spartans entered the week sitting in the No. 2 spot in the division power rankings.
Sweetwater entered the week at No. 10 in the division power rankings. The top 12 teams advance to the division playoffs.
The Red Devils, who are led by libero Simon Salazar and setter Victor Navarez, should be competitive in post-season play.
“We only have three returning players from last year and have a young team but we’ve been in every game this year,” SuHi coach Erik Hernandez said. “We just haven’t been able to finish it off.”
Hilltop entered the week No. 4 in the Division II power rankings behind division leader Bonita Vista (13-7), No. 2 Valhalla (18-8) and No. 3 El Camino (23-9).
The Lancers are led offensively by Ryan Wessel with 257 kills and Luis Hernandez with 218 kills. Joseph Valadez leads the team with 58 serving aces while Ricky Zamudio has racked up 47 total blocks. Roman Vazquez leads Hilltop with 284 digs while Valadez is the assist leader with 534.
Friday’s game pitting the Spartans and Trojans at Castle Park High School is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m., following the junior varsity match.
CV’s Espinoza said the win is not a given. “This is a rivalry game and it’s on their home court,” the Spartan coach cautioned. “We swept them before but it was at our place.”
Hilltop’s game at Sweetwater on Friday is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.
