Volleyball (Boys) | 5/8/2024 10:02:00 AM

In a gripping semi-final, Cathedral Catholic Boys' Volleyball showcased their defensive prowess, overcoming a formidable Carlsbad team to secure a 3-2 victory. Cathedral's strategic net play and adaptive defensive schemes were crucial in challenging Carlsbad's offensive rhythm, particularly against their dynamic 7-foot hitter, Parker Tomkinson ('24), who still managed to record a game-high 35 kills.

From the outset, Cathedral's ability to stand tall at the net forced Carlsbad to adjust their offensive strategies repeatedly. Cathedral's blockers, demonstrating keen anticipation and timing, consistently positioned themselves to challenge Tomkinson's powerful spikes and forced Carlsbad to explore alternate avenues for their attacks. This tactical adjustment by Cathedral disrupted Carlsbad's usual play pattern, compelling them to rely more heavily on Derek Bashford ('25) and other teammates, who collectively tried to navigate the robust defensive setup.

Despite Tomkinson's standout performance, Cathedral's strategic shifts and defensive resilience kept Carlsbad slightly off balance throughout the match. By effectively altering their block and defensive formations, Cathedral not only managed to contain the impact of Carlsbad's primary offensive weapon but also created opportunities for counterattacks that proved decisive in tight sets.

The match kicked off with a tightly contested first set, characterized by constant lead changes and never more than a two-point difference until midway through. Cathedral's key players, Brady Edwards ('24) and Ryan Enos ('24) — who finished with an impressive 25 kills — played crucial roles in securing the win.

The second set continued the trend of intense play, with Carlsbad's Parker Tomkinson ('24) and Derek Bashford ('25), who contributed 17 kills, keeping the pressure on Cathedral. Despite their efforts, Cathedral pulled ahead to take the set.
In the third set, early nerves showed for Cathedral, leading to unforced errors and a 6-11 deficit. Carlsbad's aggressive play, led by Tomkinson and Bashford, kept them ahead for most of the set. Although Cathedral managed to tie the score at 19-19, Carlsbad took advantage of the momentum shift to win the set.



The fourth set was closely contested, with neither team leading by more than three points. Cathedral nearly sealed the victory at 24-21, but Carlsbad mounted a stunning comeback, with Tomkinson leading the charge to win five straight points and take the set.

The final set was as tight as the rest, with the lead never exceeding two points. Cathedral's Charlie Sutton ('24) had 4 crucial kills in the deciding set and finished the game with 14 kills. Facing match point at 13-14, Cathedral's delivered a pivotal defensive dig and Garrett Herold ('25) delivered a critical kill to tie the game. The match teetered at 14-all before Cathedral executed consecutive kills to win the set 17-15 and the match.

This victory propels Cathedral into the finals against top-seeded and nationally ranked Torrey Pines, scheduled for Saturday at Southwestern College at 4pm.