VALENCIA – The Valencia boys volleyball team celebrated senior night Tuesday before its match against visiting Foothill League rival West Ranch.
The Vikings had more reason to celebrate after they won, 25-19, 25-20, 18-25, 25-18.
The win guaranteed the Vikings (17-9, 9-1 Foothill) at least a share of the Foothill League title, the program’s first since 2015.
Valencia won the first set as senior Dane Ricks recorded eight service points, utilizing an effective floater to do so.
West Ranch’s Noah Doupher, whose older brother Owen won Foothill League Player of the Year honors last year while leading Hart, flashed similar upside against Valencia. He had five kills in the first.
The Vikings rode the passing of junior setter Leo Sangthongkum in the second set. He dished out eight of his game-high 28 assists as the Vikings took the set 25-20.
Doupher tacked on six assists, but the blocking efforts of Valencia’s defense made him earn all of them.
“Double-blocked him the whole time,” said Valencia coach Brendan Riley. “Made him work in serve-receive when he was in the back row, but he’s a phenomenal player. He’s got a shot to be on the Olympic team and he’s going to play Division I volleyball.”
Doupher erupted in the third set, ripping off seven kills and adding a pair of blocks as the Wildcats jumped out to a big lead and never gave it back.
He finished with a game-high 20 kills to go with three blocks and a pair of assists.
Sangthongkum paced the final set, dishing out an additional 15 assists to help the Vikings secure their first league title in nine years.
“He is a first-year setter,” said Riley. “He’s played opposite his whole career, but this was a long time coming. He earned the starting spot and this was only the second time we’ve done it. It was a huge gamble but Leo was huge. He’s got really good hands and made smart choices.”
Jarek Pascua, the Vikings’ senior captain, never came off the floor. He anchored Valencia’s defense all night and also chipped in with nine kills and three blocks.
“Serve-receive, serve-receive, serve-receive,” said Riley. “He’s never coming off the court because his serve-receive is phenomenal.”
Senior Jet Ricks ripped off 13 kills, five blocks and had two blocks, while his twin brother, Dane, added five kills and a trio of blocks in addition to his impressive serving.
“I’m really happy for this group of seniors,” said Riley. “I’ve coached them a long time and they work really hard. They deserve this.”
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