On Feb. 20, 2025, the Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) boys volleyball team took to the Cabrillo Middle School gym, to try and take three sets against Bishop Diego High School (Bishop Diego) for their first Tri-Valley League game. Unfortunately for Foothill Tech, notable performances from Elijah Haigh ‘25 and Jack Marshall ‘25 were not enough for the Dragons as they battled a strong defense and were no match for the Cardinals as they fell 0-3.
Jack Marshall ‘25 scored the first point for Foothill Tech off of a set from Jayden Wallace ‘25. The Dragons could not seem to find their offense early, as multiple hits and serves flew out of bounds. Bishop Diego took advantage of this with offense of their own opening up an early 3-7 lead in the first set.
Later on, Bishop Diego kept up their offensive momentum, but Foothill Tech found their rhythm on offense with a block by Wallace after a long rally and three kills by Haigh in the dying moments of the set. Despite the efforts from Foothill Tech, Bishop Diego held strong and consistent as they took the first set 20-25 off of a spike.
Set two for Foothill Tech started off similarly to the first: out of rhythm. Marshall was able to start the offense up once again with the first four points for the Dragons as a result of an array of hits. Bishop Diego, also similar to the first, kept up their strength on the court with an early 4-10 lead.
Determined to even the score, Foothill Tech geared up to even the set. A block and an ace from Haigh, a couple of hits from Styles Haley-Kettler ‘28 and a block from Curren Wiggins ‘26 helped bring Foothill Tech within one point from Bishop Diego at 12-13. Seemingly unfazed by Foothill Tech’s efforts, Bishop Diego responded with five straight points. The Dragons attempted to respond once again, but Bishop was able to close out the second set 16-25 to take a 2-0 lead in the game.
“I think we struggled a little bit with responding to their offense,” Head Coach, David Benedik said. “They were the best team that we’ve faced so far, so I think that the intensity of their offense took us by surprise a little bit, and we got off on a little bit of a bad foot.”
Unlike the first two sets, Foothill Tech found new life in their game during the third set. The start of the set saw the two teams more evenly matched as each point was answered. Haley-Kettler and Haigh each scored back-to-back hits to cut a small lead to 13-14. Bishop Diego however, hungry to close out the game, got back into their groove and scored three straight points. To increase their lead 14-17. Bishop Diego closed out the set 18-25, as they did all night, to win the game 3-0.
Haigh spoke on mental preparation for Foothill Tech’s next game, “We kind of just got to get a set mentality that [is like] the saying ‘mind of a goldfish’ … Forget about this. We’re mad at the moment, feel it and forget about it.”
