It can’t be understated: the Valencia 2017/18 sports campaign has been as impressive as any year for Santa Clarita’s most recently dominant athletics department. The boys’ programs have had a semifinal playoff run in each of the seasons, with the volleyball team joining the football and basketball teams.

Reaching the Semifinals has become somewhat routine for the Vikings volleyball program. They were last here in 2015, led by Mike Trunzo and Kyle Ensing (he who just recently won the NCAA National Championship with Long Beach State).

Valencia has reached the Finals eight times, going 4-4 in championship games. They have chance to get above .500 in the finals and make it a cool fifth Southern Section title with two more wins.

Monday, the sixth ranked Vikings crushed No. 7 Mission Viejo in straight sets to move on in the Division II tournament.

The seniors paved the way, but received some help from some budding underclassmen. Aaron Erskin, who led the Foothill League in assists per game, had 40 assists on the afternoon. Cameron Graves had 13 kills and 12 digs to lead the team. Junior Dorian Ellis (who has the highest kill percentage on the team) chipped in with eight kills, and sophomore Jacob Knudsen did his damage from the serve like he has throughout the year.

“We have dealt with injuries and illness throughout the year,” said head coach Kevin Kornegay. “Not until the end of the year Redondo Tournament did we solidify the starting line up we have now. I would like to hope we are peaking at the right time–the end of the season.”

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