Foothill Championship Fits Valencia to a Tee

The league champion T-shirts had already been made, a calculated gamble that turned out to be as accurate as it was bold.

Valencia High defeated Canyon on Tuesday, 15-7, 15-9, 14-16, 15-6, at Valencia to clinch a tie for the first boys’ volleyball title in school history.

Chris Haigh had 20 kills, and Chris Savage and Corey Feldt each added 15 for the Vikings (25-4, 7-1 in Foothill League play), who can win the title with a victory Thursday over Hart, a team they have swept twice.

“It’s been a growing, building process,” said Coach Kevin Kornegay, in his fourth season. “It’s amazing to see it happen.”

Jesse Alo and Fernando Martinez each had 11 kills for Canyon (20-6, 6-2), which won the league title four times in the last five seasons but lost to Valencia twice in three matches this season.

“Valencia got up for this game, we got down for it,” Canyon Coach Dave Gutierrez said. “They were sharp.”

Credit was spread liberally at Valencia, from a strong senior class to the addition of assistant Walt Ker--former Cal State Northridge women’s coach--to booster club president Susan Edwards, who had the T-shirts made and handed them out after the victory.

“I never thought this day would come,” said middle blocker David Lauf, a four-year starter who had 10 kills. “It’s outstanding.”