THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Whitney High School Athletics

After defeating Oakmont 3-0 last week, the Whitney High boys volleyball team suffered their first Capital Valley Conference loss at Roseville Monday. However, the Wildcats took out Cosumnes Oaks 3-0 Wednesday. Against Oakmont, there was little doubt the Whitney would emerge victorious, but visiting Oakmont made it interesting point for point. The Wildcats prevailed last week 25-22, 25-20 and 28-26. “Oakmont’s got a good team; they’ve got a good squad and so we expected them to hang tough and battle with us,” said Whitney head coach Bruce Honberger. “It’s always good to get a league win and we’re 4-0 in league so far so we’re excited about that.” However, Honberger said it was not his club’s best effort. He said when the Wildcats are not consistent in their play they open the door for their opponents to keep pace. Seniors Matthew Honberger and Will Bebinger combined for 23 kills and junior Nico Saboonchi led the club with 13 kills. Matthew Honberger, Bebinger, Zane Groat and Jackson Cable put together four blocks. “We’ve got a good group of seniors … ,” Coach Honberger said. “My four seniors (are) all playing at a very high level and that’s good to see.” Seniors McKye Woodard and Pierce Tomasini had 19 and 12 serves respectively with four and two respective aces. Danny Sharrah added 16 serves, but the ‘Cats committed 12 service errors. Sharrah is the team’s setter and put up 48 assists in the match, while Tomasini led in digs with three. Although Whitney lost to Roseville, Coach Honberger is pleased with the competition in the CVC. “(Roseville is) probably No. 1 in the area; we’re No. 3 in the area so that’s a top battle in Placer County,” said Bruce Honberger. “It’s really good to see that the CVC probably has the strongest league in the area. It’s been the (Sierra Foothill League) for years so that’s nice, a little changing of the guard, so we’re fired up about that.” In preseason matches against the SFL, the CVC held a 9-7 advantage and 26-20 in sets won and lost. The Wildcats were 5-1 against SFL teams with a 14-3 edge in sets. Overall, the ‘Cats are 10-2 with Matthew Honberger leading the club with 82 kills and Saboonchi had 75. All-league Tomasini and MVP Bebinger were late arrivals this season, Bebinger because of a broken leg sustained during club volleyball. Sharrah, a 6-foot-5-inch junior, is not only a formidable setter but also has 29 kills using a uniquely deceptive set-kill move. “Our team, when we play good, we can be good. It’s just a matter of worrying about how we’re playing on our side and if we’re playing well we can do some good things,” Coach Honberger said. “And if we’re not playing well we give it right back … .”

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Whitney High School Athletics

WILDCATS SWEEP OAKMONT

JIM LINSDAU

Placer Herald | 4/1/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Whitney High School Athletics