APTOS — Kacey Losik believes Aptos High could be playing in a Northern California championship match in a few weeks.
“That’s how far we’re going,” the Mariners star senior outside hitter said. “We’re going all the way.”
They took their first step toward that goal on Tuesday.
Fresh off winning an outright Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League championship on Friday, top-seeded Aptos showcased its stingy defense and solid passing in a 25-21, 25-20, 25-20 sweep over No. 8 Prospect High in the Central Coast Section Division II quarterfinals.
Normally an offensive powerhouse, Losik flashed his defensive capabilities early and often. He finished with 16 digs and five kills to help the Mariners (26-4) win their seventh straight match.
Aptos will try to make it eight straight on Thursday against No. 5 Leigh High — a four-set winner over No. 4 Archbishop Mitty. The Mariners host the Longhorns at 7 p.m.
Aptos High’s Kacey Losik talks about tonight’s sweep over Prospect High in the CCS D-2 Quarterfinals. #RPsports pic.twitter.com/mpvirN9EI6
— Tony Nunez (@Tony_Nunez) May 9, 2018
Senior setter Michael Spinelli spread the rock to multiple hitters, finishing with 32 assists despite spending the majority of the third set on the bench with the victory already in hand.
Jordan Notari, Jackson Shirley and Noah Eitzen combined for 26 kills. Eitzen, a senior middle blocker, also had six blocks.
Aptos High’s Michael Spinelli talks about tonight’s CCS D-2 Quarterfinal sweep over Prospect High. #RPsports pic.twitter.com/k1D1dElU9W
— Tony Nunez (@Tony_Nunez) May 9, 2018
Senior libero Christian Segura made nine digs and sophomore defensive specialist Josh Powell chipped in eight digs.
Aptos High’s Christian Segura talks about the Mariners’ sweep of Prospect High in the CCS D-2 Quarterfinals. #RPsports pic.twitter.com/N8eP8VI62T
— Tony Nunez (@Tony_Nunez) May 9, 2018
Prospect (19-6) kept close during the first two sets, but Eitzen’s stonewall block at the end of the second set sparked Aptos’ dominant play down the stretch.
Noah Eitzen’s block energizes Aptos to a 25-20 win in set 2. Mariners up 2-0 on Prospect. #RPsports pic.twitter.com/TC74V5RYjQ
— Tony Nunez (@Tony_Nunez) May 9, 2018
In other CCS volleyball action:
Mt. Madonna 3, Monterey 1 – No. 2 Mt. Madonna rebounded from an early setback for a 21-25, 25-14, 25-17, 25-17 win over No. 7 Monterey High on Tuesday in the first round of the CCS D-III playoffs.
Senior outside hitter Brigg Busenhart had 22 kills.
Mt. Madonna (26-6) will host No. 3 The Harker School — a four-set winner over No. 6 Sacred Heart Cathedral — on Thursday at 7 p.m.
