LONG BEACH >> When Saddleback coach Jose Medina took over the boys volleyball program at his alma mater, he was prepared to build a successful team over time.
The Roadrunners exceeded Medina’s expectations in his first year at the helm by making it to their first-ever CIF-SS final.
The outcome though wasn’t what he wanted, as Saddleback lost to Monrovia in four sets, 23-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-19, on Saturday at Long Beach City College in the Division 6 championship game.
Saddleback’s Axel Gallegos reacts after losing to Monrovia in a CIF Division VI prep volleyball championship game in Long Beach, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)
Saddleback’s Arthur Vaiala, right, reacts with Osbaldo Julian after missing a hit against Monrovia during a CIF Division VI prep volleyball championship game in Long Beach, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)
Saddleback’s Axel Gallegos, center, hits against Monrovia’s Cody Wu, left, and Gunnar Keeling during a CIF Division VI prep volleyball championship game in Long Beach, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)
Monrovia’s Sonny Sluiter, center, hits against Saddleback’s Arthur Vaiala, left, and Axel Gallegos during a CIF Division VI prep volleyball championship game in Long Beach, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)
Saddleback’s Axel Gallegos reacts after missing a shot against Monrovia during a CIF Division VI prep volleyball championship game in Long Beach, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)
Monrovia’s Cody Wu, right, hits against Saddleback’s Donovan Castellanos defending during a CIF Division VI prep volleyball championship game in Long Beach, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)
Saddleback’s Jonathan Argueta reacts after winning game one against Monrovia in a CIF Division VI prep volleyball championship game in Long Beach, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)
Monrovia’s Gunnar Keeling, right, hits over Saddleback’s Arthur Vaiala during a CIF Division VI prep volleyball championship game in Long Beach, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)
Saddleback’s Axel Gallegos, left, reacts with Arthur Vaiala, center, and Jonathan Argueta playing against Monrovia in a CIF Division VI prep volleyball championship game in Long Beach, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)
Monrovia’s Zach Smith, left, hits over Saddleback’s Jonathan Argueta during a CIF Division VI prep volleyball championship game in Long Beach, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)
Saddleback’s Axel Gallegos reacts after losing to Monrovia during a CIF Division VI prep volleyball championship game in Long Beach, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)
Monrovia’s Gunnar Keeling, right, hits over Saddleback’s Arthur Vaiala during a CIF Division VI prep volleyball championship game in Long Beach, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)
Monrovia’s Zach Smith holds up the trophy after Monrovia defeats Saddleback during a CIF Division VI prep volleyball championship game in Long Beach, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)
Monrovia head coach Marvin Fong, center, celebrates with fans after defeating Saddleback during a CIF Division VI prep volleyball championship game in Long Beach, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)
Monrovia celebrate after defeating Saddleback during a CIF Division VI prep volleyball championship game in Long Beach, on Saturday, May 14, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)
“I knew the potential we had even before the season started,” Medina said. “I knew we could make the playoffs again, but I never thought we would make it to (CIF) finals, so being here is rewarding.”
Saddleback (24-3), the top seed in Division 6, trailed in the opening set 21-15 but made a furious rally behind the play of junior middle Lisati Vaiala, senior outside hitter Jonathan Argueta and junior outside hitter Oscar Castillo.
The Roadrunners got within one and forced the Wildcats to use a timeout. Saddleback took the next three points and forced another timeout by Monrovia before Vaiala’s kill gave the Roadrunners the first set.
“We were down but our servers did a pretty good job making sure that they were consistent with their serves,” Medina said of the first-set comeback, “and because of that we were talking more, our hitters were pumped and we got the momentum.”
It was all Monrovia in the next three sets.
Monrovia (27-6) was up 18-11 in the second set before Saddleback began to chip away at its deficit. The Roadrunners got within four points before the Wildcats regrouped and Sonny Sluiter’s set point kill helped tie the match at one set apiece.
The Roadrunners took an early lead in the third set but were unable to withstand the tenacity exhibited by Monrovia. The Wildcats tied the set 15-15 and then proceeded to go on a 6-1 run before Gunnar Keeling’s kill gave them the pivotal set.
Vaiala led Saddleback with 13 kills and seven blocks, Argueta had eight kills and three blocks and Castillo chipped in with five kills.
Medina, a 2014 graduate of Saddleback, has his sights set on a bright future for his squad, which will feature nine returners next season.
“Next year should be fun,” Medina said. “It’s just a matter of us practicing hard and finding younger guys coming up to varsity and then going from there.”