Warriors' up-and-down ways continue
WHEATON -- The Waubonsie Valley boys volleyball team can play with anybody at times, but when the Warriors develop consistency they'll be dangerous.
The Warriors again showed that up-and-down quality Saturday, going 1-2 in Bronze or third-division play and wound up finishing 22nd out of 24 teams at the Tiger Classic at Wheaton-Warrenville South.
Mary Beth Nolan/For the Beacon News
Waubonsie started the day with a 25-18, 25-22 loss to Lincoln-Way Central, and then came back to top Oak Lawn 23-25, 26-24 and 28-26.
In the final match of the day, the Warriors lost to York 25-15, 19-25, 25-21.
Most teams in the tournament played shorthanded in the morning matches because players were away taking the ACT.
"We had two of our key starters gone," Waubonsie Valley coach Al Lagger said. "At times we had four sophomores in there at the same time. I think it's an indication of the kind of talent we have that we didn't get blown out in any game. We see-sawed back and forth. The kids learned that you have to compete every play."
After Friday's upset of Lincoln-Way East, the Warriors (6-6) became over-confident and let down in their second match against Andrew.
They recovered Saturday and looked like they had against Lincoln-Way East-at times, but not enough to translate into more than one victory.
"We can't have peaks and valleys like that," Lagger said "The season has to be a progression."
Even in the victory in Game 2 against York, Waubonsie had a slow start similar to the one that plagued it against Andrew on Friday
But as they did against Lincoln-Way East, the Warriors fought back from a 13-9 deficit to win going away in that second game.
One problem the Warriors are having is with setting in the 6-2 offense. The setters need more experience so they can connect more consistently with 6-foot-8 hitter Connor Dougherty.
In Saturday's loss to York Dougherty had seven kills and seven blocks. Russell Penicook had a big game with nine kills and 13 digs, while Scott Johnson also dug the ball 13 times. Traeger Penicook added eight kills and nine digs.
"We still have some work to do on serve-receive," Lagger said. "Our defense was good, but we have to play with the same intensity all three games."
York (5-5), which was also missing some key people, was led by Steve Ogden's 25 kills.
"This was our first day with a brand-new lineup," York coach Patty Iverson said. "(That lineup) ran its offense correctly and they executed."
DeSmet of St. Louis was the tournament champion with a 25-17, 25-19 win over defending state champion and host Wheaton-Warrenville South in the finals.
