SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISION III VOLLEYBALL : Santa Ynez Ends Whittier Christian’s Playoff Streak

The Whittier Christian boys’ volleyball team didn’t get its wish Wednesday night n the semifinals of the Southern Section Division III playoffs at La Serna High School.

Santa Ynez beat the third-seeded Heralds, 15-13, 14-16, 15-9, 17-15, and ended their hopes of sending Coach Dave Herron to a Southern Section final for the fourth consecutive season.

The three-time defending section champions stayed with second-seeded Santa Ynez (20-2) in each of the first two games, earning a split with a 16-14 win in Game 2.

Seniors Tim Willey and Tyler Ream each had five kills, helping the Heralds twice battle back from three-point deficits and scored the last three points of the game.

In Game 3, the momentum swung back to Santa Ynez, which trailed only once and won 15-9 to build a 2-1 lead.

Sophomore Andy Witt and junior Matt Williams led the way for Santa Ynez down the stretch. Witt had 11 of his 32 kills in the last two games and Williams added eight in each game to finish with 30 kills.

“They didn’t let a lot of balls get down,” said Herron, who is leaving to take a collegiate job in Wisconsin. “They got the balls up and knew where to go. They didn’t panic.”

The Heralds trailed early in the fourth game, falling behind 7-3 and 10-5 before mounting a rally. They tied the score, 13-13, with the help of two kills by Willey.

Santa Ynez jumped ahead three different times before Williams’ kill slammed the door, 17-15.