GARDENA - San Pedro High boys volleyball continued their marvelous run in the Marine League by knocking off host Gardena, 25-1, 25-7, 25-18 in a match that only lasted 38 minutes. 

The Pirates got an added boost with junior outside hitter Jacob Branch leading the way.

Branch, who last year was Camino Real League MVP at Mary Star, wasted little time in settling in with his new teammates by blasting two quick kills early on in San Pedro's 20-0 run to begin the first set of the match, which was highlighted by a record 13 aces by senior setter Austin Freitas, who wound up with seven 17 aces altogether. Branch would finish with 11 kills, 2 aces and 3 digs.

Freitas also dealt out 28 assists, 2 kills and 3 digs for San Pedro (7-0 overall, 3-0 league), who has swept every match this season but their incredible comeback win over rival Narbonne of Harbor City back on March 21, where the Pirates rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win in five grueling sets.

Senior middle blocker Sean Zuvich had 9 kills, 2 blocks and 2 digs, senior outside hitter Kevin LoGrande had 7 digs and 3 aces, while senior outside hitter Kosta Tzavaras added 6 kills, 5 digs and 2 blocks for the Pirates.

Next up for the Pirates is a deadly showdown with host Carson on Tuesday, a match that will have early league title implications. Last year, San Pedro, Carson and Narbonne all split against each other and ended in a three-way share for the Marine League title, but the Pirates also knocked off the Colts in the second round of the CIF-Los Angeles City Section playoffs.