Fremd falls short against Marist in state quarterfinals

Fremd coach Curt Pinley said one of the Vikings goals at the volleyball state tournament was to "prove we could play with anybody."

And despite a 25-13, 25-21 quarterfinal loss to Marist, underdog Fremd did just that.

The Vikings withstood a rough Game 1 in which they gave up a 12-point run to the Redhawks to rebound in Game 2 but fall just short.

"Obviously, we're disappointed," said Fremd senior outside hitter Brian Allen, outstanding in defeat with 8 kills. "In warm-ups I saw a lot of energy, but I think that when the match started reality hit and there were some nerves.

"Still I'm proud of the fact that after we gave up that big service run (in Game 1), we were able to respond and take the momentum back."

Fremd started strong and took an early lead behind a block kill from senior Jeff Chappell, but Marist ran off 12 consecutive points to take a 21-7 lead.

"Obviously, that's not where you want to be at any point in a state tournament match," said Fremd coach Curt Pinley. "At that point we focused on trying to right the ship, and I think we did a good job at that.

"They forced the issue early but we came together and were able to fire off a few rounds of our own in Game 2."

The Vikings did come out firing after the first intermission and grabbed a 10-6 advantage behind a couple of Peter Ninchich kills, but after a timeout, the Redhawks made another run and took the lead back.

Another spike from Allen brought Fremd within 23-21, but a serve into the net and a kill from Marist senior Casey Gray (match-high 11 kills) gave the win to the Redhawks.

Fremd senior setter Steve Maring finished with 15 assists, while Chappell added 5 kills.

"We made some lineup changes late in the season, because we felt that we needed to do something to make a late push," said Pinley. "I was very fortunate to have some great athletes and great people on this team, and that made the adjustments a lot easier."

The 6-foot-6 Allen, who completed a stellar career, was one of those who made a switch, from middle to outside hitter, and it paid off in the first state tourney trip in school history for Fremd (25-13).

"Anytime you do something like that, it's tough," said Allen. "But also it affected everybody else on our team and they adjusted fantastically."