Boys Volleyball: Titans Edge RB in Playoff Tuneup

Even in what can be considered an "off year," both Rancho Bernardo and Poway have maintained their stature as two of the top prep boys volleyball teams in the San Diego Section.

In the latest Union Tribune poll, the Broncos are ranked sixth in the county, two spots ahead of the No. 8 Titans. The rivals squared off Thursday night in the final match of the regular season. 

After splitting the first two games of the match, Rancho Bernardo (14-11, 4-6) took control during the third set, beating up on Poway 25-11. The Broncos seemed to be well into their post-game celebration at that point, but Poway had another ending in mind.

The Titans (19-14, 5-5) battled back to take the fourth game, then came out on fire in the fifth to secure the come-from-behind 3-2 victory. Game scores were 20-25, 25-23, 11-25, 25-22, 15-7.

“I think we got a little too confident our there, and too cocky,” said RB coach Jamie Boyle. “Poway came back, fought hard and got us in the end.”

Regardless of the the outcome, both teams already were assured of making the CIF playoffs. Still, their rivalry game to close out the year will have big implications on the playoff seedings.

“It was a three-fold victory tonight,” said Poway coach Charles Jackson. “It’s senior night, it’s our biggest rival in RB, and we were able to really help ourselves to make a deep run in the playoffs. Put those all together and it was a big win for us.”

With the win, Poway will most likely come away with the third overall seed in CIF, which comes with a bye in round one and a home game in round two. As for the Broncos, they likely will end up as the sixth seed, and with a win in the first round they would find themselves heading back to Poway for another match with the Titans.

“My expectation is to win it all,” said RB senior Kennon Whyte, who had 16 kills on Thursday. “We want to win CIF, and we have the ability to do it.”

Last season it was the Titans who made it all the way to the CIF finals before losing to La Costa Canyon in straight games. This time around, they hope to get over the hump and be the one’s holding up the championship banner.

“If we keep playing the way we have been, and we will go far,” said Titans junior Josh Lake, who led the team in kills this season with more than 230. “We’ve gotten into a rhythm lately, and all we need to do is to just keep playing 'Poway Volleyball.'”

The playoff seedings will be announced on Saturday, with the match-ups and game sites posted on the CIF website.

• Visit the Rancho Bernardo boys volleyball website, or the Broncos' Max Preps page.
• Check out the Poway boys volleyball website, or the Titans' Max Preps page.