Volleyball Game Preview: Rancho San Juan Trailblazers vs. Soledad Aztecs

The Rancho San Juan Trailblazers will challenge the Soledad Aztecs at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Rancho San Juan had to skate by with only a one-set margin when they last took the court, which might have inspired the three-set drubbing they dealt Marina on Monday. Rancho San Juan put the hurt on Marina with a sharp 3-0 victory. That looming 3-0 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Trailblazers yet this season.

Rancho San Juan walked away with the win (and looked especially good in the first set). Once all was said and done, the final score wound up at 25-9, 25-18, 25-21.

Rancho San Juan got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Austin Valdez out in front who had seven digs and two aces. That's the most aces Valdez has posted since March 1st.

Valdez wasn't the only good server: Rancho San Juan was lethal from the service line and finished the game with 13 aces. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now served at least five aces in three consecutive matchups.

Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Soledad, who bounced back after a loss on the road on March 1st. They walked away with a 3-1 win over Pajaro Valley last Friday.

The victory didn't come easy: Pajaro Valley scored at least 18 points in every set. The match finished with set scores of 26-24, 25-20, 20-25, 25-18.

Rancho San Juan's record is now 5-6. As for Soledad, their win (their first of the season) made their record 1-2.

Rancho San Juan skirted past Soledad 2-1 in their previous matchup back in March of 2024. Does Rancho San Juan have another victory up their sleeve, or will Soledad turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.