Following a bitter defeat against Bishop Diego High School, the Dragons were hungry for redemption when faced against Fillmore High School (Filmore). Coming off of a discouraging defeat, the team readied to turn their early season luck around and take a win, a mindset that proved to be beneficial as the team took a clean sweep 3-0.

James Sokoloski ‘24 stated, “We showed up expecting them to be a very high level team and we performed at that level throughout the entire time and it just helped keep us focused.”

Head coach David Benedik reflected on the team’s prior loss, stating, “The Bishop Diego loss was difficult, but it allowed us to evaluate our performance and learn valuable lessons.”

The first set set the tone of the game, as the team maintained an untouchable lead, staying consistent through a combination of skillful passing by players such as Jayden Wallace ‘25 and Elijah Haigh ‘25.

Benedik reflected, “Elijah Haigh also performed well against Fillmore, getting a lot of kills while limiting his errors; he also served well.” The Dragons swept the set 25-6.

While keeping up the fast pace and energy, Foothill Tech maintained dominance over Fillmore. James Sokoloski ‘24 continued his offensive process and earned the team a significant number of points off of swift kills. Alongside Sokoloski, Jayden Wallace ‘25 made continuous perfectly placed sets, which gave various opportunities for kills by the outside hitters.

Sokoloski enthusiastically commented on his teammates’ performance throughout the game, “Jayden is the best setter.”

With a continuous array of fragile sets up in the air aiding outside hitters Sokoloski, Haigh and Shaurya Shyam ‘25, kills were made left and right which allowed Foothill Tech to sweep the second set 25-16.

Sokoloski commented, “We’ve grown from an almost entirely junior varsity team into competing at a high level with high schools at a varsity level in a very short time span.”

In the lead 2-0, the Dragons did not let up. Early in the set, Foothill Tech did not have a significant lead and the scores stayed close together. As the game progressed, the Dragons gained momentum as Josh Broberg ‘26 made many incredible saves for his teammates as the libero, which allowed the team to take the third and final set, 25-14.

Benedik stated, ”As a coach, I hope that getting a solid win like we did against Fillmore can create a drive to continuously improve and momentum to play our best volleyball every match, set, and point.”

Foothill Tech will play against Dunn School on March 5 where they hope to take another early season victory.