First step in mission for Foothill

The Foothill boys volleyball team is on a mission to make school history.

The Falcons claimed their first accomplishment Saturday in the Sunrise Region title match, defeating Coronado 25-21, 21-25, 25-18, 3533 at Arbor View for the school’s first region championship.

Caleb Stearman had 12 kills, eight blocks and 22 assists to lead the Falcons (31-11). Richard Reid had 15 kills, and Tanner Lester added 11 kills and six blocks.

“It’s a good feeling to make history, especially for boys volleyball and especially for Foothill,” Stearman said. “It’s a step in the right direction. The guys with experience really helped us out, and our team pulled it out. We handled adversity well.”

Coronado (24-19) had several chances in the tiebreak to force a fifth set, but Stearman came up with a kill to keep the set going. Foothill gained the serve advantage after a long serve by Coronado, and Lester ended the set with a kill to give the Falcons the match.

Ben Bloss led the Cougars with 22 kills.

Sunset Region

Centennial captured a 28-26, 2515, 26-24 sweep of host Arbor View to claim the Sunset Region title.

“We’ve been preparing all year for it, working as a team, and it feels really good,” said senior Teon Taylor, who finished with 12 kills and three blocks.

“We just take it one point at a time, take it one practice at a time and just focus. When it gets tough, we dig our heels in. I have all the faith in the world in these boys.”

Faries Gardner had 19 kills and 13 digs to lead the Bulldogs (38-9). Nahmani Brown finished with six kills, and Sam Durkin had 33 assists and five digs.

Gideon Belnap had 12 kills and 11 digs for the Aggies (29-9).