Chatsworth Swept by University in Volleyball Playoffs

Before Tuesday’s City Section 4-A Division semifinal, Chatsworth High boys’ volleyball Coach Steve West thought the key to beating top-seeded University was to shut down David Ottenfeld.

The Chancellors held Ottenfeld to six kills but found the Warriors’ other players too potent in a 15-13, 15-6, 15-3 loss at University.

James Kohn had 11 kills and four blocks and Philip Tongsak added 11 kills to boost the balanced Warriors into the final.

“They are a great offensive team,” West said. “They have so many weapons.”

University (14-2) struggled in the first game, making 14 unforced errors before pulling it out on an ace by Ottenfeld and a kill by Tongsak.

But the longer the match lasted, the steadier the Warriors played. “Chatsworth made it difficult for us (in the first game),” Warrior Coach Neal Newman said. “I think we were nervous at first. But we seemed to settle down in the second and third games.”

Displeased with University’s attack despite a 7-4 lead in the second game, Newman benched setter Freddy Chen in favor of Sam Saythathongsack. With Saythathongsack distributing the ball, Chatsworth scored only five more points.

“We were trying to change our rhythm and (bringing in Saythathongsack) really helped,” Newman said. “Sam is a smart, heady player.”

Meanwhile, the Chancellors’ passing began to break down. “We started off strong,” West said. “But we lost our ability to pass as the match wore on.”

Dan Nash, Chatsworth’s leading attacker this season, had eight kills midway through the second game but was limited to only one the remainder of the match.

Outside hitter Marty Tack picked up some of the slack with 12 kills, but it wasn’t enough to keep Chatsworth (11-5) from losing in the semifinals for the second year in a row.