The Verdugo Hills Dons hosted the Van Nuys Wolves on Thursday for their fifth match of the season, but struggled to find their footing, dropping to 2-3 with a 3 set loss (14-25, 19-25, 23-25). The Wolves improved to 10-4 with the victory, boasting the best overall record in the Valley Mission League. 

The Van Nuys Wolves have begun their season with a statement, demonstrating that they are the team to beat in the Valley Mission League. The Wolves are undefeated within their league, and have only dropped matches to other powerhouse teams, keeping their losses competitive. Van Nuys’ most recently asserted their dominance with a 3-0 sweep over the Verdugo Hills Dons. 

The Dons are showing some growing pains as they adjust to playing under head coach Joseph Arechiga. Only five matches into the season, there’s plenty of time for the Dons to find their rhythm, but it seems Verdugo Hills has yet to adjust to not having William Reinhart behind the wheel. This season, Arechiga’s first full season as head coach, is the Dons’ first without Reinhart since 1996. 

Van Nuys senior Yeerdlee Miranda set the tone early in the first set, contributing four kills and three aces on the way to a 6-13 Wolves lead. His impact wasn’t only seen on the attack, as his high energy and constant communication aided the entire team. Junior Aidyn Kinchen dominated defensively, meeting the Dons’ attacks at the net. The Wolves closed the first set with a kill from senior Xavier Lauraya for a 14-25 victory, taking a 0-1 lead in the match. 

Verdugo Hills junior Josh Mexia-Azurdia brought new life to the Dons’ offense in the second set, assisting the majority of the team’s attacks. Mexia-Azurdia and junior Timothy Del Rosario found a solid offensive rhythm, but the Wolves were able to maintain a consistent advantage. The Wolves won the set 19-25 following a kill from senior Jonathan Perez to take a 2-0 match lead. 

The third set was neck and neck as the Wolves lacked communication and made consistent errors, while the Dons, especially junior Johnny Madrid, played aggressive and powerful offense. The set tied at 23-23, before an ace from Van Nuys’ senior captain Christian Callos and a kill from Kinchen pushed the Wolves over the finish line. The 23-25 victory completed Van Nuys’ sweep over the Dons. 

The Wolves return to Valley Mission League play on Monday versus San Fernando, looking to build on their undefeated in-league record. The Dons will face Chavez on Monday, attempting to climb the ranks in the East Valley League, where they currently sit in fourth place at 1-2.