Broncos overwhelm Stallions in four
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Madera South’s Ruben Jaimez goes up for a block during Wednesday’s loss to the Clovis North Broncos. He was one of two Stallions with double-digit kills with 10.
Despite effort and tenacity from the Madera South Stallions boys volleyball team, they faced an uphill battle against the Clovis North Broncos throughout the night in a four-set loss at Madera South.
The Stallions took the second game 25-20, where they showed dominance from the first point. However, the Broncos’ height and athletic ability became too high a hurdle for the Stallions.
Captain Jared Guglielmana, who had 11 kills, led the Stallions along with an overall game that made the Stallion faithful proud. Guglielmana and Ruben Jaimez were the main attacking threats, with a combined 21 kills Jaimez also recorded two aces. Senior Adrian Alvarez also had an ace.
Christian Sylvia gave his best throughout the contest with four kills and an athletic presence around the net. Going up against some of the Broncos’ most athletic players, Sylvia gave the visitors fits despite the result.
After going down in the first set, 25-22, Madera South rallied in the second set to tie the match.
The Stallions opened up second set on a perfect note after the Broncos missed the opening serve. However, that changed as the Broncos responded with a quick two points to go ahead.
Behind Guglielmana and some deception, the Stallions came charging back into the fray. Guglielmana combined with Jamiez for a devastating kill, followed by a Jaimez serve to re-tie the set at eight.
Clovis North continued to apply the pressure, but the Stallions were ready for the Broncos’ charge.
The Broncos built a four-point lead, 16-12, behind their athletic duo up front. The Stallions responded with a run of their own.
Sylvia and Guglielmana powered the Stallions back into the lead with a five-point run. Sylvia’s power around the net and Guglielmana’s non-stop hustle around the court helped the run.
The Stallions erased the Broncos’ early dominance and kept them at bay. Thanks to a Broncos error late in the game, Madera South capitalized on a net infraction to take a 24-20 lead and ultimately the set after a successive serve.
Although the Stallions had the momentum after the second set, the Broncos continued to rely on their size and athletic ability.
Clovis North won the final two sets, 25-19 and 25-19.
Madera South only had two blocks in the match. Without the size to combat at the Broncos, they were able to attack the Stallions’ frontline.
Despite the loss, the Stallions sit at 8-2 overall and look to be one of the top teams in the County/Metro Athletic Conference.
Madera South now looks towards the Golden Valley Tournament where face some of the top teams from the Valley.
