Viator a little off in loss to Marist
It wasn't a good time for the St. Viator boys volleyball team to have an off night.
Not against Marist, a team with a group of strong hitters who came into Arlington Heights on Thursday having lost only four matches all year.
Marist dominated Game 1, then used a late run to hold off a Viator rally in Game 2 to earn a 25-13, 25-17 East Suburban Catholic Conference victory over the Lions.
"We didn't play up to our potential, that's for sure," said Viator senior Sean O'Connor, who was 5-for-7 on attack with 2 kills and 8-for-10 from the service line.
"We've been down a little lately. We've been taking teams to three games, but then we let them get on a little bit of a run and we lose in three. We've got to come out with more intensity, and our passing's got to get better."
Marist started the match playing at a high level. It seemed that almost every Redhawks block turned into a kill, every kill attempt hit the floor, and every Lions attack turned into a dig on the other side.
The Lions dropped Game 1 and were already trailing 8-3 in Game 2 when coach Charline Curtin called timeout.
"I wanted them to play with some intensity and pride, and after the timeout they came out and did that," Curtin said. "We went on a 7-0 run."
A timely tip by O'Connor and a kill from senior Brian Romani gave the Lions an 11-9 advantage.
Viator still led 12-11 when Marist scored the next 9 points to put the match away.
"Marist is just a good all- around team," said Curtin. They've got a great right side hitter (6-foot-6 junior Joe Smalzer) and a great libero."
"He (Smalzer) can do a lot of things," said Marist coach Bob St. Leger, "and he loves the game of volleyball."
Romani and Tim Rast each had 2 kills for the Lions.
"We came out flat," Curtin said. "We're a talented team, but we have trouble putting a whole match together. Usually we start out strong, falter a little, then make a match of it in the third game."
"Now is the time to keep working hard and build up some momentum going into sectionals," O'Connor said.
BG d. Rolling Meadows: Visiting Buffalo Grove posted a 25-20, 25-19 victory to clinch the Mid-Suburban League East Division title. Chris Falknor had 8 kills for the Bison (21-4, 8-0), while setter Tom Angerame had 21 assists. Matt Vinezeano led the Mustangs (9-9, 3-6) with 9 kills.
Prospect d. Elk Grove: Host Prospect prevailed in three tough games, beating Elk Grove 21-25, 25-23, 26-21 in the MSL East. Kevin Reed paced the Knights with 14 kills, Josh Doerr set for 19 assists and Kevin Wolter added 17. For Elk Grove (17-4, 4-4), Bryan Skwirut had 15 kills and Jon Condon was credited with 30 assists.
Wheeling d. Hersey: Chris Schaeffer recorded a dozen kills to lead host Wheeling past Hersey 25-21, 26-28, 25-18 in the MSL East. Setter Kevin Taylor dished out 31 assists for the Wildcats (10-13, 3-5). For Hersey (9-10, 4-4), Jack Welter had 15 kills and setter Chris Hoffman had 26 assists.
Fremd d. Schaumburg: Behind 9 kills from Kevin Prest, host Fremd (18-7, 6-2) beat Schaumburg 25-16, 25-19 in the MSL West. Benjamin Whitmer had 21 assists.