Unbeaten Coronado rallies to edge Silverado in boys volleyball

Coronado’s boys volleyball team hadn’t played a five-game match all year.

The Cougars also never had to come from behind to win.

Check, and check.

Coronado overcame a wild first game from Silverado on Thursday to hang on for a road win over the Skyhawks, 23-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-22, 15-4, and keep its undefeated season alive.

“It was new; we’ve never been to five before,” said middle blocker Chris Andrulis, who had 15 kills and eight blocks for Coronado. “(Silverado) gave us the greatest competition we could ask for.

“But we played as hard as we could, and then we won. The team that played harder won.”

Hunter Chaney added 53 assists, 15 digs and four blocks for the Cougars, who held on as the Skyhawks (13-2, 10-2 Southeast League) marched to an early lead on two critical spikes by Kyle Divicino, who led Silverado with 12 kills and five blocks.

Coronado (16-0, 12-0) fought back from a 24-20 deficit in the first game before falling on Divicino’s bruising game-winner.

“We know that Silverado is a really good team, and we expected a fight, especially coming into their gym,” Coronado coach Matt Johnson said. “We knew they would come at us with everything they had.

“This is the third time we’ve played them, and each time it’s been down to the wire. We fully expected this to go four or five games. This was a great game to be a part of, as a player and as a coach.”

Andrulis brought the Cougars back in the second game, notching three kills and two blocks as Coronado remained in control from the beginning until Jordan Osmundson’s resounding game-winner.

“I said (to myself) 'I can’t control my other teammates, but if we’re going to win, I’ll do whatever I can to win,’” Andrulis said. “I played my heart out.

“Both teams came out strong, and it was as close as it could get.”

Silverado took the third game on a 9-1 run midway through the series, when Casey Hadland served up three aces. The senior Skyhawks setter also finished with 43 assists and 22 digs.

“It was a great match to be a part of,” Johnson said. “I think both teams are going to be better from this experience tonight. It was a great learning experience from both sides.

“The guys have a lot of respect for each other. It was great to see them hugging each other and appreciating the effort at the end. There were really no winners and losers.”

Bryan Arana notched 16 kills, and Tyler McCormick added 14 digs and two late aces to seal the match for the Cougars, who are ranked No. 45 in the nation by ESPN RISE.

“If we’re 45, then tonight, they’re 46,” Johnson said of Silverado. “It’d be nice if more teams in the valley could make that list. But it’s a hard list to break into. There’s a lot of good volleyball on the West Coast.”

Brian Theophill and Tyree Burton each contributed 11 kills for the Skyhawks, and teammate Rusty Santiago added 23 digs.