Scorpion volleyball team wins a grudge match against Rio Mesa
Camarillo boys prevail in three games
By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

CROSSTOWN RIVALRY- Camarillo High outside hitter Chris Carlson hammers home a kill during Tuesday's match at Rio Mesa.

In front of a boisterous crowd at Rio Mesa High Tuesday night, the Camarillo boys' volleyball team overcame a shaky start to defeat its crosstown rivals in three games- 26-24, 25-15 and 25-19.

Junior setter Trevor Taggesell had 33 assists for the Scorpions, while junior outside hitter Chris Carlson added 16 kills and three aces. Senior middle blocker Kurtis Gunther finished with 10 kills for ACHS.

"They beat us at a tournament a while back, and we wanted to come in here and show them that we are the best," Gunther said.

"The first game is always the game that determines the rest of the match, and we wanted to go out there and show them that we're No. 1 and that's how it's going to stay."

Camarillo was aided by the return of two key players- senior middle blocker Steve Kelly and junior middle blocker Jordan Crook. The two were academically ineligible for much of the season, Scorpion head coach Rob Vandermay said.

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers GAME OF INCHES- Kyle Cossey of Camarillo, left, prevents Rio Mesa's Justin Hafen from getting the ball over the net on Tuesday.

"Steve Kelly gives us another threat on the front row and a much better blocking presence, so we're not as predictable in terms of who we're going to set," Vandermay said. "That makes it harder for the defense to camp on one or two players."

After trailing 24-19 in the opening game, Rio Mesa clawed its way back to even the score at 24 apiece. Camarillo, however, scored the next two points to clinch Game 1.

The Scorpions were in control from that point forward, as RMHS head coach Gonzalo Rodriguez had a difficult time finding the right combination of players to offset Camarillo's huge front line.

"We just shot ourselves in the foot," Rodriguez said. "We missed serves, weren't running, thinking or hitting into the block. I'll be the first to say that I got out-coached and our guys got outplayed. Camarillo stepped up. You've got to give it to them."

With the victory, ACHS saw its overall record improve to 13-7. Entering last night's game vs. Hueneme, the Scorpions were 6-1 in the Pacific View League, a game behind first-place Oxnard.

Rio Mesa came into last night's match against Oxnard with a 34 league mark. The Spartans are in a heated battle with Pacifica for the league's No. 3 seed and a postseason berth.

"We've got to win," Rodriguez said. "We've got to keep working at it, but right now, I just don't know."

Vandermay said his squad is looking forward to a rematch against Oxnard. The Yellowjackets defeated the Scorpions at ACHS last week.

"They had one player ineligible when we played them, and we had two," he said. "We're a much stronger team with our two guys back, and I'm sure they're stronger with their player back.

"But I'm not one to give up. We're going to go in there with the attitude that we can compete with them."

Camarillo will play at Oxnard on Thurs., May 3 at 6 p.m.

"It's definitely going to be tough if the league title comes down to that last game," Gunther said. "They beat us good in that first match, but we've got a few guys back, and I think we can definitely give them a run for their money."