Charles Rich
TUJUNGA -- The Verdugo Hills High gymnasium might as well been
compared with the now-defunct Boston Garden on Tuesday night.
The elements of the two structures have their similarities,
particularly the humidity that flows through each nook and cranny.
It turned out to be the ideal environment for the eighth-seeded
Verdugo Hills boys' volleyball team Tuesday, as it toppled El Camino Real
High, 13-15, 15-11, 15-9, 15-11, in a first-round match in the L.A. City
Section Invitational Bracket playoffs.
The Dons will meet the winner of Tuesday's University-Jefferson match
in a quarterfinal round match at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Verdugo Hills, playing its first home playoff match since 1991, used
19 kills, 12 blocks and 15 digs from outside hitter/setter Kris Gupilan
to dispatch ninth-seeded El Camino Real (4-9).
Verdugo Hills Coach Will Reinhart, who estimated that the gym
temperature swelled to about 115 degrees, said practicing daily in the
gym's uncomfortable and cramped conditions helped the Dons (8-6) on
Tuesday.
Verdugo Hills, making its third consecutive postseason appearance,
recorded a season-high 30 blocks and 92 digs.
"We picked the right time to play right way," Reinhart said. "We have
to practice in this, and that gave us an advantage. [El Camino Real]
isn't used to these temperatures because they play in an air-conditioned
gym.
"I think [El Camino Real] looked past us. I was at the seeding meeting
last week, and I had to argue for my team's position because we had a
better record then them.
"Gupilan had his worst practice Monday and he told me that he would
play his best game. He kept his word."
BOX SCORE
El Camino Real*15*11*9*11
Verdugo Hills*13*15*15*15
EL CAMINO REAL -- Petros 16 kills, Erin 12 kills, Bunetto 9 kills,
Cowan 7 blocks, Wong 41 assists.
VERDUGO HILLS -- Gupilan 19 kills, 12 blocks, 15 digs, Martinez 10
kills, 16 digs, Tulfo 12 digs, 8 kills, Perales 7 kills, Carniero 15
digs, Sok 13 digs, Lee 12 digs.
