Vaqueros Sweep Moorpark on Sophomore Night, Inch Closer to Conference Crown

By AJ Nagbe

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The No. 3 Santa Barbara City College Men's Volleyball team (16-4, 10-2) dominated No. 8 Moorpark (9-11, 5-7) on Friday night, sweeping the Raiders 25-17, 25-19, 25-22. The final home match of the regular season, the program also celebrated Sophomore Night at Robertson Gym.

With the win, the Vaqueros improve to 10-2 in conference play and are one win away from clinching at least a share of the conference title.

Mykolas Petritias led Santa Barbara with 12.5 points on nine kills, two aces, and two blocks (one solo). Nick Schultz added 11 points with eight kills (on just 10 swings), an ace, and a team-leading four blocks. Markus Krepp contributed 7.5 points with six kills and three blocks.

Setters Ayden Welch (21 assists) and Devon Russell (17 assists) orchestrated the offense. Libero Payton Martinez led the team with 6 digs. The Vaqueros dominated from start to finish, hitting .316 as a team and recording six aces in the sweep.

Santa Barbara controlled the match from the opening serve, winning the first set 25-17 and the second set 25-19. The Vaqueros completed the sweep with a dominant 25-20 third-set victory. SBCC never allowed Moorpark to gain momentum, showcasing a balanced offensive attack and strong defensive play. The sweep improved Santa Barbara to 16-4 overall and 10-2 in conference play as they continued their strong late-season push.

With two regular season matches remaining, only Santa Monica or Fullerton (both 9-3)—who play each other in the final match of the year—could mathematically surpass the Vaqueros in the conference standings. Thus, the Vaqueros are in control of their own destiny, just needing one win for at least a share of the Northern Region title, or two to clinch it outright.

Santa Barbara (16-4, 10-2) travels to Antelope Valley on Wednesday, April 8, at 6 p.m. for their next matchup before wrapping up on Friday at Pierce.