The Poly Parrots defeated the Sylmar Spartans in 5 sets (25-17, 16-25, 17-25, 25-23, 13-15) to start the season with a win. The Spartans fall to 1-2 with the loss.

The Sylmar Spartans hosted the Poly Parrots for the Parrots’ first game of the season, an early look into how both teams might perform this spring. The Spartans, the reigning champions of the Valley Mission League, have been slow to get the ball rolling, falling to 1-2 after winning their season opener. The Parrots set the tone with a win over the typically dominant Spartans, a promising start to their season. 

Poly’s Marcelo Rodriguez opened the first set with a kill, before Sylmar’s Tyler Clark answered with a kill of his own. Sylmar pulled ahead, led by strong communication from captain Daniel Onchi. The Spartans took a 12-6 lead following a kill from Dominic Del Toro and a block from Jose Franco. Though Poly’s Brandon Campos consistently made impressive defensive efforts, The Spartans lead was unwavering. Sylmar closed the set 25-17 with a kill from Daniel Dominguez to take a 1-0 match lead. 

The second set started strong offensive efforts from both teams, with Poly’s Leonel Juarez recording a set-opening ace. The Parrots’ offense was rounded out by Leandro Juarez and Jason Blanco, who used their speed to get past the Spartan defense. Sylmar’s offense was run through Franco, who turned defense into offense with quick attacks at the net. The set tied at 10-10 before Poly went on a seven point run, taking a commanding 10-17 lead. The Parrots maintained their momentum and closed the set 16-25, tying the match 1-1. 

The Parrot’s energy didn’t carry into the third set, as most of the Spartans’ early points were awarded off Poly errors. Sylmar excelled defensively, with Franco and Onchi leading the charge. The Parrots shook off their struggles, with Leandro Juarez contributing two kills and an ace on the way to tie the set 17-17. Poly came out of a timeout with renewed energy, ending the set on an eight point run – winning the set 17-25 on a kill from Leonel Juarez, taking a 1-2 match lead. 

Del Toro dominated the fourth set, leading the Spartans to pull forward 11-2. Poly closed the gap with captain Brandon Campos keeping the Parrot’s energy high. The set was eventually tied at 20-20, but Del Toro couldn’t be stopped. He contributed four of the Spartans final five points on the way to a 25-23 victory, tying the set 2-2. 

Sebastian Fernandez came alive for the Parrots in the fifth set, with two kills and an ace bringing the Parrots to a 5-6 lead. Sylmar stayed competitive with continued efforts from Del Toro and Clark stepping up defensively, meeting the Parrots at the net. The set was tied at 13-13, before Leandro Juarez took over and finished the game off with two quick kills, for a 13-15 set victory and five-set match victory over Sylmar. 

The Spartans play their first in-league game on Monday against Panorama, when they’ll look to establish their usual spot at the top of the Valley Mission League. The Parrots play their second match of the season on Monday at Verdugo Hills, where they will also look to begin in-league play with a win in their first East Valley League matchup of the season.