The Van Nuys Wolves improve to 2-0 in the Valley Mission League and 4-1 overall with a four set (25-16, 25-18, 23-25, 25-22) victory over the Sylmar Spartans. The Spartans fall to 7-4 overall, 1-1 in-league. 

The Van Nuys Wolves’ season has gotten off to a hot start, their momentum only building with their defeat of the Sylmar Spartans on Wednesday. The victory marks the third game in the Wolves’ early-season win streak, placing them at the top of the Valley Mission League, alongside Kennedy. The Spartans, the reigning Valley Mission League champions, have been seeing success in tournament play, but get off to a 1-1 start within the league. 

The first set opened with a kill from Van Nuys junior Daniel Vishnevskiy. Sylmar senior Daniel Dominguez made an impressive defensive effort, but Vishnevskiy led the Wolves on an 8-1 run. The Wolves maintained their lead through the entire first set, with the Spartans struggling to communicate and overcome defensive struggles. The set closed out 25-16 with a kill from Van Nuys senior Yeerdlee Miranda and a 25-16 Wolves victory, for a 1-0 match lead. 

Van Nuys’ junior captain Aidyn Kinchen led the Wolves on a run to start the second set, before Dominic Del Toro’s defense put an end to Van Nuys’ scoring. Del Toro also contributed two kills to bring the set to 11-8. Van Nuys senior Xavier Lauraya targeted his attacks to a weak point in the Spartan’s front row, aiding in the Wolves growing their advantage to 23-15. Though Sylmar freshman Jose Franco had two late kills, the Spartans couldn’t close the game and Van Nuys won the set 25-18, taking a 2-0 match advantage. 

Van Nuys senior Jonathan Perez put the Wolves on the board with a block to begin the third set. Senior captain Christian Callos built on the momentum with an ace to take a 2-0 lead. Sylmar’s Franco had back to back kills to tie the set at 5-5. Sylmar’s communication improved from the previous two sets, and the Spartan’s offense benefited from it. Freshman Tyler Clark was the spark for the Spartans, expertly placing attacks in the back corners of the Wolves’ defense. Sylmar won the set 23-25 to make the match 2-1, forcing a fourth set. 

The fourth set was down to the wire, with Del Toro and senior captain Daniel Onchi fighting to keep the Spartans alive. Del Toro had five kills and a block in the fourth set, with many of his kills assisted by Onchi. Onchi’s vocal leadership aided in the Spartans taking a 13-17 lead. The Spartan’s advantage couldn’t survive Kinchen, who contributed six kills for the Wolves. A series of Spartan errors and one final kill from Kinchen won the Wolves the set 25-22, for a 3-1 match victory. 

The Wolves look to extend their win streak, as well as remain undefeated in the Valley Mission League on March 10 with a home match against Panorama. San Fernando will host Sylmar on the 10th, giving the Spartans an opportunity to improve their in-league record.