The Hilltop High School boys volleyball team is having quite a remarkable spring season.
The Lancers improved to 13-4 overall, 1-0 in Metro-South Bay League play, after sweeping past the visiting Montgomery Aztecs in the teams’ league opener on Tuesday. Hilltop won by scores of 25-13, 25-19, 25-16.
“Our goal is to go as far as possible in the CIF playoffs,” Lancer head coach Victoria Osnaya said. “The seniors are the first group I’ve had all four years I’ve been coaching. I’m trying to make it a good ending for them.”
Senior Rafael Torres led Hilltop with 15 kills in Tuesday’s game while senior Oswaldo Valenzuela contributed 10 kills and one block. Other statistical leaders included junior Dominic Schmidt with four kills and two blocks, senior Jaydon Carpadakis with one ace, three kills and one block, sophomore Diego Assali with three kills and two solo blocks and senior Enrique Banuelos with one ace.
The Lancers opened the season on a five-game winning streak. Tuesday’s win was the team’s sixth in a row.
Montgomery saw its record drop to 10-8 overall, 0-1 in league, following the loss to Hilltop.
Besides the Lancers and Aztecs, Sweetwater and Chula Vista are also league members.
Sweetwater is having a good spring as well with a 13-9 overall record. The Red Devils emerged in the victory column on Tuesday by shading host Canyon Hills, 3-1, in games in a non-league encounter. The Red Devils lost the first game by a score of 26-24, then rallied with three consecutive wins – 25-22, 25-21, 25-23.
The Rattlers, who are 0-2 in City Eastern League play, dropped to 8-9 on the season.
Senior Roman Manigbas has keyed Sweetwater this season with 108 kills while junior Alan Ramirez has logged 44 aces. Senior Jesse Espinosa has racked up 101 digs while junior Paul Ednilao (137) and Ramirez (123) paced the team in assists.
Sweetwater was set to open league play Thursday at Hilltop before hosting the Lancers on April 12.
Chula Vista was set to host Canyon Hills in a non-league matchup on Wednesday before opening league play at Montgomery on April 12.
League play extends through April 28.
League play has also tipped off in the Metro-Mesa League with Otay Ranch (24-6 overall) as the early leader with a 3-0 league record, Following the Mustangs’ lead are Eastlake (3-1 in league, 21-6 overall), Bonita Vista (1-2 in league, 12-9 overall), Mar Vista (1-2 in league, 7-13 overall) and Olympian (0-3 in league, 6-10 overall).
Hilltop is ranked third among the section’s Division III teams while Bonita Vista is ranked fourth among Division II teams.
Montgomery is ranked fifth among Division IV teams.
Three Metro Conference teams have cracked the top 10 in the early Division III rankings: Olympian is No. 4 while Mar Vista is No. 7.
Division rankings remain fluid.
The San Diego Section playoffs are scheduled May 3-13.
Championships in all divisions are scheduled to take place at Southwestern College.
Metro Conference
Boys Volleyball Standings
Metro-Mesa League
League/Overall
Otay Ranch 3-0, 24-6
Eastlake 3-1, 21-6
Bonita Vista 1-2, 12-9
Mar Vista 1-2, 7-13
Olympian 0-3, 6-10
Metro-South Bay League
League/Overall
Hilltop 1-0, 13-4
Sweetwater 0-0, 13-9
Chula Vista 0-0, 9-12
Montgomery 0-1, 10-8
Metro-Pacific League
League/Overall
Mater Dei Catholic 0-0, 11-6-1
Southwest 0-0, 8-9
San Ysidro 0-0, 4-11
Castle Park 0-0, 1-9
