Thousand Oaks Pours It on Channel Islands

With the rain pouring outside, the Thousand Oaks boys’ volleyball team reigned inside at Channel Islands High.

Scott Sheridan, Neal Maguire and Rick Furino reached double figures in kills as the Lancers used a balanced attack to defeat the Raiders, 15-1, 10-15, 15-4, 15-4, in the Marmonte League opener for both teams.

Sheridan, a 6-foot-9 middle blocker, had 14 kills, six blocks and six aces for the Lancers (1-0). He had seven kills, four blocks and four aces after his team dropped the second game.

“I knew I had to pick it up,” Sheridan said. “We were too confident after that first game. This is my senior year and I don’t have a league title yet.”

The Lancers had little trouble disposing of the Raiders (1-1) in the first game, using only 19 serves to score all 15 points in less than 10 minutes.

But the Raiders did not go quietly in Game 2, diving and scrambling for every ball.

They took an 8-5 lead on Chris Valoaga’s kill, then fell behind, 10-9, before finishing strong to take the game.

“We just didn’t play up to our potential,” Channel Islands Coach Dave Chavez said. “I think that second game was an indication of how good we can play as the season goes on.”

The Lancers took control in the third game, rattling off the first seven points on Sheridan’s serve.

Channel Islands took a 2-0 lead in Game 4, but the Lancers went ahead, 6-3, and closed out the match with nine consecutive points.

Paul Magsino had 12 kills for the Raiders, while Riv Amores had nine kills and six blocks. Valoaga had eight blocks.