Larkin sweeps away Elgin
Larkin boys volleyball coach Henry Graack said his team has played in numerous close matches this season without being able to come out on the winning end.
Senior Dylan Martinez went back to the service line Tuesday with the Royals trailing 21-19 against crosstown rival Elgin. Martinez served 5 aces in the final 6 points to give Larkin the Game 1 victory. The Royals used the momentum to rout the Maroons in Game 2, 25-14, to earn an Upstate Eight Conference River Division victory.
“We needed the win. I think we deserve it,” Martinez said.
The Royals (2-11, 1-1) led 6-2 in the opening game before Elgin (1-11, 0-2) rallied to tie it at 9-9. The game stayed within two points until the Maroons took a 21-18 lead on a Elrich Keophilalay kill. Martinez had 1 of his 5 kills to get the Royals within 2, 21-19, and going to serve. Two clean aces tied the game at 21-21. The Maroons got to the next serve, but it was hit so hard, Elgin’s pass went over the net and off the ceiling, give the Royals the 22-21 lead. After another Martinez ace, Trey Ridings had a tip kill to give Larkin a game point at 24-21. Martinez finished the game off with another ace.
“We had a nice two or three-point lead and Dylan came up and had five aces in a row or something,” Maroons coach Scott Stewart. “He was serving hard. And our guys let one mistake turn into multiple mistakes. They made us pay for it.”
Elgin struggled to start Game 2, committing several errors as the Royals took an 11-5 lead. The Maroons got within 12-9 on a Brendon Geils kill. Larkin scored 10 of the next 12 points to take a 22-11 lead. An Elgin service error and a hitting error gave Larkin the final two points for the victory.
“We’ve been right there,” Graack said. “It’s just been really close. It’s good to push it over the edge finally.”
Keophilalay and Keith Turner each had 2 kills and 2 blocks to lead the Maroons. Angel Hernandez had 7 assists and 2 aces. Geils added 7 digs.
Martinez finished with 6 aces and added 4 digs. Ridings added 3 kills. T.J. Weaver had 4 blocks. Max Rydell led the Royals with 10 assists.