Benet can't slow Bartlett

Martin Radomski is making sure this season is full of fun moments.

The Bartlett senior is a key component in his team's fast start. Despite playing libero during his club season, and listed at 5-foot-10, Radomski slides over to play outside hitter for the Hawks.

It's a sharp contrast from his club position. Instead of mainly toiling in the back row, Radomski is a go-to hitter during the spring for the Hawks.

"I rely on my teammates a lot, so grateful to have great teammates and they put me in a position to be successful and it doesn't matter how tall you are," Radomski said. "It's a fun transition for me to play outside (hitter). Playing libero has helped my passing a lot."

Radomski paced the Hawks with 7 kills in Thursday's 25-22, 26-24 nonconference win over Benet. Garrett Jurina and Toiyon Walton each had 4 kills and 4 blocks, Carter Burzlaff netted 4 kills, 20 assists and 3 aces for the Hawks (11-2). Jacob Bush ignited the comeback with consecutive kills early in the first game.

Not only did Radomski, a three-year varsity player, fuel the Hawks with his solid play, he also helped them overcome a rough start. With the Redwings (3-9) jumping out to a 5-1 lead in Game 1, Radomski gathered his teammates for a quick talk to settle them down.

"Martin brings energy to every point, and that's what we need," Bartlett coach Robert Schwantz said. "He lacks height, but he puts in the work on his jumping skills and in the gym. He gets up there. But the energy he brings really helps. He never gets down on himself."

Radomski said he "seriously started lifting at the beginning of his junior year" to increase his vertical jump. He acknowledged that he tried to settle his teammates during key moments of Thursday's match.

"I just try to keep everybody calm, for that's not the first time we started a game slow," he said. "We know we can come back and are a good team."

The senior-dominated Hawks relied on their experience to knock off the young Redwings, who didn't start a single senior. In a match full of service errors, the the Redwings battled back late in the second game. Walton had two straight kills to give the Hawks an 18-15 lead, but the Redwings bounced back to tie the game at 23-23 and 24-24 before Walton and Radomski closed out the match with kills.

"They are young and going to be dangerous next year," Schwantz said of Benet. "This is the first time I've beaten (Benet)."

August Mazza paced Benet with 6 kills and Sean Becker racked up 14 digs. Benet coach Jeff Steinberg said his youthful team is improving every week.

"It shows that it really comes down to limiting errors," he said. "We're getting better every day and just need to realize every single point matter."