Girls Volleyball Roundup: Santa Barbara Earns First Win Over Valencia in Four Sets
Noozhawk
August 18, 2026
It took a set to find their rhythm, but the Santa Barbara High girls volleyball team showed exactly what they're made of Tuesday night, rallying for a four-set win over Valencia in their home opener at J.R. Richards Gym. After dropping the opening set, the Dons dug deep, tightened their defense, and found their groove in front of a home crowd that packed the stands.
This win feels extra sweet for the program — it's the first time Santa Barbara has beaten Valencia in recent memory, and it sets the tone for what promises to be a competitive season. Head coach [name] credited the team's resilience and the energy of the home fans for the turnaround. With a young squad that's already showing grit, the Dons are proving they're a force to watch in the Channel League.
For a full breakdown of the match and stats, check out the original report from Noozhawk. Next up, the Dons hit the road — but after Tuesday's performance, they'll carry some serious momentum with them.
This summary was written by AI based on the original article from Noozhawk.
City
Santa BarbaraSource
NoozhawkPublished
August 18, 2026
AI-curated summary from local news sources
Explore Santa BarbaraAll Santa Barbara NewsMore News from Santa Barbara
Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara Outlasts Moorpark 38-24 in Channel League Opener
The Dons opened Channel League play with a hard-fought 38-24 win over Moorpark on Friday night, and it feels good to see Santa Barbara High start league on the right foot. League openers set the tone for everything that follows, and this one showed the kind of grit that makes Friday nights at Peabody Stadium special. Now the focus shifts to next week, when Santa Barbara travels to Ventura. Road games in the Channel League are never easy, and the Dons will need to carry this momentum with them down the 101. If you've got a free Friday, consider making the trip or catching the updates — this team looks worth following. For the full recap, check out The Santa Barbara Independent, which has been covering local prep sports all season long.
Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara High Football Opens Channel League Play with 38-24 Victory Over Moorpark
Dons fans, we see you. Friday night at Peabody Stadium, Santa Barbara High opened Channel League play with a 38-24 win over Moorpark, and the air attack was cooking. That's four straight wins now for the Dons (4-2, 1-0 CL) after an 0-2 start — the kind of turnaround that makes Friday nights under the lights feel special again. Peabody is one of those places that ties this town together, and a league-opening win is a big deal for the players, the students, and everyone who's been following this squad. Defense clamped down when it mattered, and the offense kept the pressure on all night. Thanks to Noozhawk for keeping us posted on the Dons. If you haven't made it out to a game yet this season, now's the time — this team has found its groove.
Santa BarbaraIf We Make Our Homes Safer, Will Insurance Follow?
If you've been watching your neighbors' premiums climb — or gotten a non-renewal letter yourself — the question of whether hardening our homes actually moves the needle with insurers is one a lot of us in Santa Barbara are asking right now. The Santa Barbara Independent recently dug into wildfire preparation and what homeowners can realistically do, from ember-resistant vents to defensible space and roof upgrades. It matters here more than almost anywhere: we've lived through the Thomas, Cave, and Alisal fires, and the insurance fallout has hit our hillside and foothill neighborhoods hard. The honest answer is that it's not guaranteed — but doing the work protects your home, your neighbors, and potentially your wallet. Worth a read, and worth talking about at the next block party.