Chatsworth Keeps Feasting

They must like the taste of victory.

When they won the Sylmar tournament last weekend, members of the Chatsworth High boys’ volleyball team were treated to pizza by Coach Bud Dow.

And after they defeated Granada Hills, 10-15, 16-14, 15-11, 15-11, in a vital Northwest Valley Conference match Tuesday at Granada Hills, they can expect another feast soon.

Stephen Wiessner had a career-high 24 kills and Chatsworth clinched at least a tie for its first conference title since 1990.

The Chancellors (9-2, 7-0 in conference play) can win the title outright by defeating Taft on Thursday or Cleveland on Tuesday.

Dow better break out the credit card.

“Just for the sake of seeing that ‘W’ on that board, it’s worth it,” said Dow, who promised to add ice cream to another pizza-fest if Chatsworth wins the title.

Donald Puathasnanon had 28 kills for Granada Hills but also made 14 errors, possibly because of a strained back that has caused him problems for almost three weeks.

“I can’t use that as an excuse,” said Puathasnanon, who committed to UCLA earlier this month.

Puathasnanon didn’t find an excuse for his team, either.

“At the end,” he said, “they just wanted it more.”

Chatsworth had better defense and, with a little help from modern technology, dug almost everything that came its way.

The Chancellors studied the tape of the first match against Granada Hills--a 3-1 victory by Chatsworth--and adjusted to the Highlanders’ hitting tendencies.

“Everybody pitches in,” said Wiessner. “It’s amazing how we do it.”

Granada Hills (9-2, 6-2) captured the first game Tuesday behind seven kills by Puathasnanon.

But the Highlanders couldn’t hold a lead and, as a result, may not hang onto at least a piece of the conference title for the fourth consecutive season.

After squandering 12-6, 11-4 and 11-7 leads in the second, third and fourth games, respectively, the Highlanders were speechless.

“I don’t know what to say,” Coach Tom Harp said. “We knew what was on the line and we had our opportunities.”

The Chancellors seized the opportunity to avoid University High in the City Section 4-A Division playoffs that start May 8.

They could be seeded No. 2 or No. 3 in the playoffs and postpone until the title match a showdown with University, which has won three titles in the 1990s.

That’s good news for any team.

“We still have some work to do, but I hope it continues like this,” Dow said.

“It might cost me something, but I don’t care.”

Bon appetit.