Crescenta Valley High boys’ volleyball continues perfect run against Arcadia

ARCADIA — A run that has been both impressive and equally unexpected continued for the Crescenta Valley High boys’ volleyball team Friday afternoon.

The visiting Falcons kept themselves perfect so far this season, although they’ll admit they were far from flawless in a 25-21, 25-18, 25-22 Pacific League victory over archrival Arcadia High.

“I thought we played better early on, but not that well overall,” Falcons Coach John Nelson said. “We did OK today and we are getting better.”

Crescenta Valley improved to 14-0 overall and 4-0 in league thanks in part to an offense that boasted five players with five or more kills, led by 11 kills from outside hitter Raymond Barsemian.

The Falcons found their stiffest challenge in the third game, falling behind by four early and eventually trailing 12-7.

“I don’t think we came out flat or didn’t take Arcadia seriously in the third game,” said Falcons senior Chris Yi, who tallied five kills and one block. “We tried to do some different type of plays and it didn’t work out, so we went back to what worked.”

Barsemian tallied consecutive kills to eventually knot the game at 17. Crescenta Valley eventually led, 20-18, and did not relinquish its advantage en route to the 25-22 victory.

“That was really the only time we were challenged,” Crescenta Valley’s Zachary Burch said. “You never want to say it was an easy win because any team can beat you, but I don’t think we were ever worried.”

Min Kim added five kills and one block for Crescenta Valley, while Brad Fernandez contributed four kills and three blocks and co-captain Henry Sim finished with five blocks.

Crescenta Valley’s victory over Arcadia (10-3, 3-3) may have been its biggest in league yet for a squad listed in “others” in the latest CIF Southern Section Division II ranking.

The Falcons, however, will have a chance to move up in the rankings and change their team’s perception with a big match next Friday hosting defending league champion Burroughs (10-3, 4-0), the eighth-ranked team in the division, at 6 p.m.

“I’m not sure how many people thought we’d go this far undefeated,” Burch said. “I didn’t expect it but it’s been a great run.”

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Follow Andrew J. Campa on Twitter: @campadresports.