Lakes learns lessons in loss to Deerfield

The Lakes boys volleyball team knows there will be times this season when it will be outmatched.

Tuesday was one of those times.

Deerfield used aggressive jump-serving to post a decisive 25-11, 25-15 victory.

But after the match, Lakes was far from despondent.

"As a general rule, my coaching style is positive," first-year Lakes coach Wayne Schultz said. "I try to correct negatives by emphasizing positives. You could see even when we were losing, they were playing with smiles on their faces. I want them to enjoy the moment."

Schultz has plenty of experience guiding young volleyball programs. In the fall, he is the varsity coach at Westosha Central in Salem, Wis. He founded the boys program three years ago and last season the team played for a sectional title.

He believes the Eagles (3-7) can follow a similar path.

"There's a great opportunity at Lakes," he said.

The players are impressed with his enthusiasm.

"For a new coach, he was able to bring us all together so quickly," senior libero George Wilson said. "I know he'll be able to take us to the next level. We have a new, aggressive attitude and we're a lot more focused."

Added sophomore setter Mark Molloy: "We're working a lot harder this year. Win or lose, everybody is keeping a positive attitude."

Deerfield (2-0), playing in just its second match of the season, showed flashes of why it will be one of the area's toughest teams.

"Our goal was to control the tempo and (limit) mistakes," Deerfield coach Eugene Chung said.

Lakes had no answer for the jump-serving of Deerfield's Joel Lopata and Evan Katz.

"We have nobody that can bring that type of velocity in practice," Schultz said. "This was the first time we've seen a really good jump-serving team."

Lopata also had success at the net, finishing with a match-high 7 kills. Jimmy Franklin had 13 assists.

For Lakes, John Sieracke had a team-high 4 kills. Molloy finished with 6 assists. Aaron Oliver (2 blocks) and Wilson (5 digs) led the way in blocks and digs, respectively.

"George Wilson had some great digs on tough balls," Schultz said. "He was acting like a leader and bringing energy."

When Schultz looks to the future, he is encouraged that 46 players are part of the program.

"That's about twice as many as I have (at Westosha Central)," he said. "I've been really happy with the kids. They're giving a strong effort and doing everything I ask."