Santa Margarita Wins Rematch With Barons

Fountain Valley discovered how much a team can improve over a season, as Santa Margarita made quick work of the visiting Barons in a 15-7, 15-12, 15-13 first-round Southern Section Division I boys’ volleyball match Friday night.

The Eagles (13-5) controlled the serve and limited their mistakes to avenge a five-game loss to the Barons earlier in the season.

The Eagles will play Tuesday against Simi Valley Royal, a 15-9, 15-13, 15-9 winner over Newhall Hart at a site to be determined. Fountain Valley ends 11-5.

“We may have come in a little overconfident,” said Baron Coach Tim Johnson. “They improved and we improved, but when you reach this point of the season you have to be ready.”

The Barons got their wake-up call early as Santa Margarita took a 14-1 first-game lead. After getting their block going, the Barons came back, and rode the momentum to a 7-4 lead in Game 2. Five of those points came off Eagle hitting errors.

Fountain Valley extended the lead to 10-6, but Santa Margarita then reeled off seven consecutive points during a 9-3 run to win the game.

“The hitting errors put us behind and they got some momentum at the end of the first that went into the second game,” said Eagle Coach Eddie Rapp. “We served tough and put pressure on their outside hitters.”

Dustin Creager (22 digs) keyed the Eagle defense, which came up with numerous digs off Fountain Valley outside hitters Nathan Hagstrom (25 kills) and Tommy Plass (20 kills).

Damien Scott had 21 kills and John Costigan added 14 for the Eagles.