Royal, Foothill Tech boys volleyball teams reach CIF-SS finals

For one local program, a return to a familiar stage. For another, an historic first.

With victorys Saturday night, Foothill Tech boys volleyball earned its first CIF-Southern Section Championship appearance and Royal, one of Ventura County’s winningest programs, reached its 11th.

“We are a small school, but I think that when we play together and play as a team, we can play some really good volleyball and compete with anybody,” said Foothill Tech boys volleyball coach David Benedik. “Everyone is amped up to play their best game.”

An all-around team effort powered Foothill Tech (15-8) to a straight set victory (25-22, 25-18, 25-16) over Rialto in the CIF-SS Division 7 semifinals.

The Dragons will play Oakwood of North Hollywood (19-6-2) in the Div. 7 championship on either May 15 or 16.

Foothill Tech weathered a slow start to its first two sets, battling late to secure pivotal victories.

“We had to rely on the team to come together,” Benedik said. “In the past, our offense has been cooking more and we have been able to rely on individual contributors. Tonight, I felt, was really a team victory.”

Zach Ohl had 26 digs, Styles Haley Kettler had 11 kills, Colton Salles had 10 kills and setter Royal Knox racked up 34 assists.

“It’s a good sign for our team and our program that we are going to be able to continue, in the years to come, pushing ourselves to get better and better.” Benedik said. “Now, the guys have this expectation of, ‘Yeah, we are a playoff team. We are going to make deep runs into the playoffs.’”

The Royal boys volleyball is no stranger to the section championship stage. It will chase its sixth section title in its 11th appearance later this week thanks to a semifinal win on the road.

Grant Herzer drilled 24 kills to go along with 16 digs and three aces, Donnie Fleming had 21 kills, nine digs and three aces, Vaughn Rizzo logged nine kills and setter Micah Park racked up 50 assists to power Royal past Village Christian, 3-1 (25-17 29-27, 20-25, 25-22).

The hero early in the match was junior oppo Vaughn Rizzo, who capitalized on a wide open right side as his team’s opponent loaded up to stop Fleming and Herzer.

“Vaughn... doesn't get enough credit,” Royal boys volleyball coach Ryan Moberly. “Not many teams have a guy that plays the opposite and passes in serve receive. He is very unique — he is kind of a unicorn."

The Highlanders dominated the first set, but had to grind from behind through multiple set points to eventually secure a 29-27 win in the second set and go up 2-0.