SAN JOSE — Archbishop Mitty boys volleyball doesn’t wish to make issues too straightforward on itself.
The Monarchs are an excellent group that has misplaced two matches all 12 months. Mitty received the CCS Open Division championship in 4 units over St. Francis, usually trying untouchable when it wished to be.
Tuesday’s match in opposition to Oak Ridge within the opening spherical of the CIF NorCal Division I playoffs was just a little bit completely different. The Monarchs have been on their heels from the get-go, taking place early and having to rally again to retake the lead.
Archbishop Mitty’s Andy Guo (24) bumps the ball in opposition to Oak Ridge within the second set at Archbishop Mitty Excessive College in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Could 20, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
However simply within the nick of time, Mitty took care of enterprise. After taking place 23-22, the Monarchs buckled down and received the primary set 26-24.
Mitty saved one other 23-22 deficit within the second set, ending it off with a 3-0 run. And within the third set, Mitty managed a 24-21 lead, misplaced two match factors, then lastly completed Oak Ridge off with a crosscourt kill by star hitter William Dryden.
Fairly? Nope. Efficient? You guess.
Archbishop Mitty’s William Dryden (18) units the ball in opposition to Oak Ridge within the third set at Archbishop Mitty Excessive College in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Could 20, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
“I could tell during our pregame that we didn’t really have it today,” coach Gregg Gallegos stated. “As the match went on, we did not play great volleyball. Our serve receive was not good, our defense was not good, but we feel like we’re a championship team. We won our league, we won our section, and championship teams just have to find a way to win, no matter how ugly it gets. And we did just enough to get the win. We did what we needed to do to squeak it out.”
The Monarchs (38-2) are the highest seed within the NorCal Division I bracket and have been anticipated to breeze by the opening spherical in opposition to No. 8 Oak Ridge (29-5). On the rating sheet, it’s nonetheless a sweep.
However Mitty has lots to work on earlier than it welcomes in No. 4 Clovis for its semifinal match on Thursday.
“Their serving was pretty consistent,” Mitty junior setter Ryan Barnes stated. “They were able to get that nice, flat float serve in the court a lot of the time, and we didn’t pass the ball very well. So next game, we’ll probably just reset and get some more reps earlier on.”
Archbishop Mitty’s Ryan Barnes (7) bumps the ball in opposition to Oak Ridge within the third set at Archbishop Mitty Excessive College in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Could 20, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
Barnes damage himself on Saturday within the Monarchs’ CCS remaining match in opposition to St. Francis, skinning his left hand on the court docket whereas diving to pursue a ball. He had it wrapped on Tuesday, however that didn’t appear to make a giant distinction as he arrange Mitty’s hitters.
Barnes assisted on 39 of Mitty’s 40 general kills within the match.
“He slid for a ball, and like half of the skin on his hand just ripped open,” Gallegos stated of Saturday’s match. “It was all pink and crimson at first, after which it began bleeding by all of the bandages and wraps that we have been placing on him.
Archbishop Mitty’s Ryan Barnes (7) serves the ball in opposition to Oak Ridge within the third set at Archbishop Mitty Excessive College in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Could 20, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
“But at the same time, that dude’s tough as nails. You could wrap that hand up as much as possible, and the ball will still look so pretty coming out of his hands. He’s one of the best setters I’ve ever seen playing in high school, so I know he’ll play through anything and be great for us.”
Barnes stated his hand is feeling higher to the purpose the place he doesn’t actually discover an obstacle.
“It’s getting better,” Barnes stated. “I just got a Band-Aid on it. It doesn’t really hurt. It’s fine. I’m good. I don’t even feel it.”
Archbishop Mitty’s Ryan Barnes (7) and Archbishop Mitty’s Antony Niu (27) try to dam a spike in opposition to Oak Ridge within the first set at Archbishop Mitty Excessive College in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Could 20, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
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Mitty’s potential is sky-high, and the Monarchs are nonetheless trying to find that good match throughout their playoff run. If Mitty goes to meet its said purpose of reaching the first-ever boys volleyball Division I state championship recreation, it’s going to take steady enchancment over the subsequent two video games.
However even now, the Monarchs are sweeping NorCal opponents with their B-game. It’s not a foul spot to be in.
“We can beat any team that’s out there,” Barnes stated. “I think we’re the best in NorCal right now.”
“Credit to them. They were a tough matchup,” Gallegos stated of Oak Ridge. “There’s lots that we have to work on earlier than our recreation on Thursday. We knew that they’d some studs on their group, and I believe that group goes to be actually good for years to come back, that’s for certain.”
Archbishop Mitty’s Oscar Klement (15) spikes the ball in opposition to Oak Ridge within the first set at Archbishop Mitty Excessive College in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Could 20, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
Archbishop Mitty’s Niklas Jakobskrueger (22) suggestions the ball over the web in opposition to Travis Vandeluyster (28) within the first set at Archbishop Mitty Excessive College in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Could 20, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
Archbishop Mitty’s Niklas Jakobskrueger (22) spikes the ball in opposition to Travis Vandeluyster (28) within the second set at Archbishop Mitty Excessive College in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Could 20, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
Archbishop Mitty’s E.J. Tejano (4) bumps the ball in opposition to Oak Ridge within the third set at Archbishop Mitty Excessive College in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Could 20, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
Archbishop Mitty’s E.J. Tejano (4) celebrates a degree in opposition to Oak Ridge within the third set at Archbishop Mitty Excessive College in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Could 20, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
Archbishop Mitty’s Oscar Klement (15) bumps the ball in opposition to Oak Ridge within the third set at Archbishop Mitty Excessive College in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Could 20, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
Archbishop Mitty’s William Dryden (18) spikes the ball in opposition to Jamie Fraser (4) and Travis Vandeluyster (28) within the first set at Archbishop Mitty Excessive College in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Could 20, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
Archbishop Mitty’s Oscar Klement (15) bumps the ball in opposition to Oak Ridge within the third set at Archbishop Mitty Excessive College in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Could 20, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
Archbishop Mitty’s William Dryden (18) tries to get the ball previous Jack Reynolds (23) within the third set at Archbishop Mitty Excessive College in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Could 20, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
