To Agoura, Onyshko Is Royal Water Repellent

Royal High closed in on the Marmonte League boys’ volleyball title with a 6-3 victory over Agoura on Wednesday at Rancho Simi Community Pool.

Junior goalie Tom Onyshko of Royal kept the Chargers from making many waves and drew raves all around.

“If anybody was the MVP of this game, it was Tom,” said Derek Anderson of Royal. “It was the best game I think I’ve ever seen him play.”

Added Justin Rosa, Agoura goalie: “I recognize Tom as a great goalie.”

Onyshko made 15 saves, compared to nine by Rosa, who also played well in a defensive struggle by teams with with potent offenses.

Royal took a 1-0 lead when Ramiro Saldain scored on a four-meter penalty shot in the first minute of the game.

The Highlanders had a 2-1 halftime lead after goals by Donovan Tatum of Agoura and Marc Ellison of Royal in the second quarter, and stretched it to 3-1 on a third-period goal by Anderson.

Royal scored three fourth-quarter goals, and with Onyshko’s help, hung on the rest of the way.

Onyshko made six of his 10 second-half saves in the final quarter, including two on shots from point-blank range, one on another from outside and one while Agoura was in a man-up situation.

“I tried to step it up on every shot,” Onyshko said. “We have probably played better offensively, but I like games like this, personally. You get a lot more out of it.”

Although Royal has not clinched a championship, the Highlanders (18-6, 5-0 in league play) appear likely to get the title back again after Agoura won it last season.

Royal claimed the crown the previous 17 years. Royal and Agoura were co-champions in 1994.

The Highlanders have three league games remaining. Agoura (14-8, 4-2) has two games left. Both the Chargers’ league losses have come against Royal.

“That was our first goal this year, to win the league,” said Anderson, who finished with two goals and three steals for Royal. “After that we want to look toward the playoffs.”

Hole defender Sean Carnahan of Royal shut down two-meter man Matt Monaco of Agoura, who took only five shots on goal. Three were blocked by Onyshko and another missed while the Chargers were in a man-up situation in the fourth quarter.

Ellison covered Hans Larsen, Agoura’s primary outside threat. Larsen, the Chargers’ leading scorer with 65 goals, tried only four shots, finally converting one on a four-meter penalty shot awarded after the third ejection foul committed by Justin McClure of Royal. That goal brought the Chargers to within 4-3 with 2:56 left in the game.