El Camino Takes On Santa Monica In State Semis

Now the Warriors are taking aim at a history-making postseason run.

El Camino (15-4) takes on Santa Monica College (13-6) today at 5 p.m. in the State semifinals at Santiago Canyon College. Orange Coast (17-1) and Irvine Valley (14-7) semifinal follows around 7 p.m. The final takes place Friday at Santiago Canyon at 7 p.m.

El Camino and Santa Monica split during the regular season. El Camino posted a four-set victory on Feb. 28, but Santa Monica rebounded to post a sweep on March 26.

El Camino is riding high after winning its first conference title, and it was well-represented on the All-Western State Conference squad.

Opposite hitter Roy Powell claimed the conference MVP award, and coach Richard Blount garnered the conference's Coach of the Year honor.

Powell, an opposite hitter from San Benito High, led the state in kills with 283 on the season. He also led the team in several categories, including kills per set (4.10), total attempts (657), block assists (68), total blocks (72), blocks per set (1.04) and points (341). 

Blount, in his ninth season at El Camino, guided the team to a 15-4 overall record and an 11-1 conference mark.

Middle blocker Karl Acres (Mira Costa), libero Errol Basconcillo (Narbonne) and outside hitter Brandon Hiehle (Redondo) earned first-team all-conference honors.

Outside hitter Nehemiah Iosia (Redondo), setter Nick Williamson (Redondo) and middle blocker Casey Wood (Saugus) were second-team selections.