Centaurs Spikers Sweep to Playoff Victory

All season long, the Achilles' heel of the Culver City High boys volleyball team has been its inability to close opponents out. That wasn't a problem Tuesday night in the Centaurs' CIF Southern Section Division 4 playoff opener. 

Culver City took quick leads in each set and never relinquished them in a convincing 25-20, 25-13, 25-17 victory over visiting Santa Ana Valley and it was how his squad was able to finish that most impressed Centaurs Coach Joe Manzo.

"The way they closed—they actually came and closed the match," he said. "Each game they closed out, which we've been having trouble with all season. When we got the lead, we held the lead and closed in on it. The teamwork and communication was really key as well."

Andy Aguila paced the Centaurs' attack with 16 kills, six blocks and three digs and freshman outside hitter Wesley Dixon added nine kills, nine digs and two aces. Senior outside hitter Morris Ellis had 16 digs and setter Alex Aguilera distributed the ball expertly, finishing with 39 assists, nine digs and five blocks. 

"Andy [Aguila] is our senior captain and our big hitter and Alex [Aguilera] is our setter and senior captain, and without those two playing together our team would not be as strong," Manzo said. 

Santa Ana Valley, the Orange League runner-up, stayed in each set early on but Culver City's relentless attack allowed it to gradually pull away. Tuesday's victory earned the Centaurs a home match in the second round Thursday at 7 p.m. against Alpha League co-champion and third-seeded Brentwood, a 25-15, 29-27, 25-15 winner over Garey on Tuesday.

"Our coach really wanted us to focus on finishing and closing games because we've really been struggling with that," said senior middle blocker Kekoa Matthews, who finished six kills. "Today we did a pretty good job."