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    Santa Margarita too strong for Wilson in boys volleyball Division 2 quarterfinals
    • May 2, 2024

    Ryan McCartie (1) of Santa Margarita reacts after scoring against Wilson in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 boys volleyball playoffs at Santa Margarita High School in Rancho Santa Margarita on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA — The Santa Margarita boys volleyball team showed its depth in a 25-23, 25-21, 26-24 win over Long Beach Wilson in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs Wednesday at Santa Margarita High.

    Santa Margarita (19-3) will play Trinity League foe Servite in the semifinals on Saturday at Servite.

    Santa Margarita has not won a CIF boys volleyball championship since 2001 and has not appeared in a CIF championship game since 2011.

    The match Wednesday will go down in history as a 3-0 sweep for Santa Margarita, but the match was much closer than the score indicated.

    Chase Wallin (3) of Santa Margarita takes a shot over the net against Ian Nolte (24) of Wilson in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 boys volleyball playoffs at Santa Margarita High School in Rancho Santa Margarita on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Ian Nolte (24) of Wilson spikes the ball over the defense of Chase Wallin (3) and Brendan Relvas (10) of Santa Margarita in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 boys volleyball playoffs at Santa Margarita High School in Rancho Santa Margarita on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Will Morrison (17) of Wilson spikes the ball against the defense of Luke Ackerman (2) of Santa Margarita in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 boys volleyball playoffs at Santa Margarita High School in Rancho Santa Margarita on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Santa Margarita boys volleyball head coach calls out instructions to his team during a game against Wilson in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 boys volleyball playoffs at Santa Margarita High School in Rancho Santa Margarita on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Santa Margarita boys volleyball head coach Sinan Tanik reacts after a score against Wilson in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 boys volleyball playoffs at Santa Margarita High School in Rancho Santa Margarita on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Luke Ackerman (2) of Santa Margarita tips the ball over the net past Will Morrison (17) of Wilson in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division 2 boys volleyball playoffs at Santa Margarita High School in Rancho Santa Margarita on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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    Wilson (27-8) led in every set and made things difficult for the Eagles.

    “The result does not really reflect the quality of volleyball on the court, they are a good team,” Santa Margarita coach Sinan Tanik said. “We studied them well, our guys took their assignments seriously and we were pretty much on spot with what we needed to do.”

    Wilson was the Moore League champion this season and beat St. Francis in the first round. The Bruins most recently won a CIF championship in 2021 when they beat St. Francis for the Division 3 championship.

    “I’m extremely proud. Everything that we accomplished, we had to work for,” Wilson coach Christopher Ceballos said. “It helped that our blockers got touches on the ball every now and then. We just couldn’t get our offense going but everything else was pretty intact.”

    Santa Margarita got a great game from its star outside hitter Ethan Saint. The UC Santa Barbara signee had a game-high 18 kills and added two blocks and an ace.

    Freshman setter Chase Wallin was crucial for Saint’s success with 34 assists. He did a good job spreading the ball around to keep the Wilson defense from zoning in on Saint.

    “Chase is doing a great job running the show and all of his teammates are supporting him,” Tanik said. “Ethan is obviously our captain, leader, best scorer and whatever title goes along with that. He can handle a heavy load but this is a 14-guy crew and whoever I sent in did their job perfectly. That was the key to our win.”

    Ceballos praised Wallin and the Eagles offense.

    “Their setter kept us off-balanced and moved the ball really well,” Ceballos said. “Even when we got big swings they were able to get some quality digs and make us really earn our points.”

    Brooks Ignosci had 16 kills for the Eagles and eight different players scored. Libero Blake Herman had 11 digs and Wallin added 9.

    Ohio State signee Ian Nolte led Wilson with 18 kills, nine of them in the third set. Will Morrison had 13 kills and Shayne Galura had 24 assists.

    The Eagles beat Servite in five sets on March 22 and swept the Friars on April 15.

    “Servite is always a tough opponent,” Tanik said. “We beat them twice in league but we never take them lightly. I know the quality of their players and coaching staff and we respect them greatly. At this stage, everyone is tough and getting sharper and sharper.”

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    ​ Orange County Register 

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