Poly Boys Volleyball had two intense matches of the Moore League season this previous week.
On Tuesday, April 19, students and fans watched the Poly Jackrabbits go head-to-head with the Wilson Bruins with bated breath. Long rivals, the Jackrabbits and Bruins volleyed it out at Wilson High School to take the Moore League win. Much to the disappointment of Poly, Wilson swept the boys varsity volleyball team in all three sets (25-22, 27-25, 25-20).
“We lost our team chemistry which affected our mind set heading into the game. I told the team that we needed to attack every team with no mercy,” says varsity coach, Justin Oleole.
On Thursday, April 21, the boys varsity volleyball team stole hearts, inspired fans, and dominated the Lancers in the outstanding 5-set match victory (32-30, 10-25, 13-25, 25-17, 15-9). The Poly vs. Lakewood match took place at Lakewood High School. The win put Poly and Lakewood at a tie for the top standing in Moore League this season.
“That was the craziest match ever!” exclaimed varsity middle blocker Sam Leiwis. “There was some volleyball, some Jerry Springer, and some WWE. It’s the LB baby,” Lewis says, referencing an emotional outburst that resulted from Kristain Tafao arguing with a chair official over a yellow card in the middle of the third set. After a misunderstanding with the coach, and then a brief argument between coach and assistant coach, the crowd was pulled intensly into the heat of the match.
The incident did not phase the team but rather inspired them to push harder. “Tafao re-entered the match in the fourth set and played his best volleyball of the season, making inspired, crisp sets and chasing down balls on defense with abandon,” Gazette Sports reported.
Thursday’s match definitely boosted the morale of the team. “Being able to overcome a huge deficit was probably the proudest moment as a coach. The team really came together after a tough 2 and 3 game fall,” says Oleole.
The next match is away on Thursday, April 28 against Cabrillo.
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