By Aaron Coloma

Dons Dominate in first win of the season to improve to 1-1

After losing at home to Sylmar Aug. 19, the Verdugo Hills Dons bounced back to even up their record at 1-1 with a sweep over Canoga Park on Monday.

The Dons started strong in the first set, building a 3-0 lead courtesy of two kills from captain Jaedyn Smith and one from Jillian Wilenkin. The Hunters fought back, tying the game at three and maintaining the deadlock through a majority of the opening set. Smith came through late in the set with another kill to even the score at 16 before recording an ace to restore the Dons’ three-point lead. Verdugo Hills didn’t look back, securing the set 25-21 with two more service aces.

“In our first match, we were very inefficient,” Dons Head Coach Joseph Arechiga said. “Serving is like free throws, it can make or break a team. It’s really them against themselves. We saw a tremendous increase in efficiency in serving because we won that mental battle today.”

Verdugo Hills carried their momentum into the second set, jumping to a 12-3 lead which included a 6-0 scoring run on the back of three aces by captain Emily Wagner.

“She knows what I expect, what to expect from the program,” Arechiga said. “She’s a great kid, works her butt off every single day. Everyone looks up to her. Even if she’s not 100%, the confidence she brings to everyone else is tremendous.”

With the wind in their sails, the Dons extended their lead further through a 7-1 scoring run. A double violation by setter Natalie Chevez after an impressive rally seemed to dishearten Canoga Park as Verdugo Hills coasted to a 25-9 victory to take the second set.

Despite a 2-0 lead, the Dons remained focused. They found a groove at the beginning of the third set, jumping to a 9-1 advantage topped off by an ace. The Hunters began to battle back, splitting the next four points evenly. Looking for a way back in, Canoga Park kept an impressive rally going until Verdugo Hills’ Joy Useh broke their spirit with a tip shot to swing the flow of the game back into their favor. The Dons continued their dominant scoring performance with an 8-0 run which included two kills from Val Lopez and some help from defensive miscommunications on the Hunters’ side. Despite a late fight from Canoga Park, two more kills from Lopez and an ace from Lauren Brink put the game to bed, ending the final set at 25-12.

“Coming back I think it was really important to start building that momentum,” said Arechiga. “We started to see it at the end of the first and into the second set. We just took care of the smaller things. We eat, sleep, breathe volleyball. We have to keep that same work ethic in the game. That win today really showed us what we’re doing in the gym is the right stuff.”

Verdugo Hills commence East Valley League play at home against Monroe Aug. 28 beginning at 4:00 p.m. Canoga Park will defend home court against Kennedy for their first Valley Mission League game Sept. 4 at 4:00 p.m.