Though Weary, Sylmar Saves Enough for Poly

It has been a memorable few days for the Sylmar boys’ volleyball team.

Last Friday, they defeated Van Nuys for the first time since 1989.

On Saturday, they won in pool play and qualified for the playoffs of the Tournament of Champions, a 40-team event held that day at Cal State Northrige.

On Wednesday, the Spartans were fatigued, which does nothing to explain their 15-6, 15-6, 15-4 victory over Poly in a Valley Pac-8 Conference match at Sylmar.

Tired but triumphant.

“We played well enough to win and that’s what counts,” said outside hitter Kevin Dawes, who had 12 kills and five aces.

Although the Spartans (8-0, 5-0 in conference play) showed signs of weariness and lost huge leads in both the first and second games, they didn’t fall asleep at the wheel.

Their serving would keep anybody awake.

Six aces in the first game and five in the second pointed them in the right direction.

“Our kids are playing physically and mentally tired,” said Sylmar Coach Bob Thomson. “Even though the score was whatever, we need to stay focused and play.”

Sylmar allowed Poly (2-6, 1-4) to rally from 14-1 and 12-1 deficits in the first two games, but still impressed Poly Coach John Ford.

“They’re definitely one of the top teams in the City [Section], 3-A wise,” Ford said.

Sylmar started to look tough in early March.

The Spartans captured the Venice tournament with a victory over Fairfax, the defending City Section 3-A champion.

Now the Spartans are chasing their first 3-A title. They lost in the semifinals last season.

But Thomson promotes caution.

“We haven’t won anything yet, really,” said Thomson. “We have the potential to go as far as possible, but we’re not looking that far away.”

Alejandro Zambrano had 10 kills for Sylmar, four of them in the third game.

Kevin Banos led Poly with seven kills.