Unforced errors haunt Warriors

ST. CHARLES -- The Waubonsie Valley boys volleyball team left the court with heads down Tuesday after suffering a disappointing Upstate Eight Conference loss to St. Charles East.

The Warriors fell in two straight games, 25-21 and 25-20, to drop their record to 8-7 and 2-2 in conference play.

"It seems our team always manages to get in situations where we can win, and then we shoot ourselves in the foot," said Waubonsie Valley's frustrated head coach Alan Lagger.

Such a situation presented itself in Game 1 Tuesday night. After trailing the majority of the game, the Warriors went on a 9-2 run to pull ahead 18-17.

Waubonsie Valley looked to continue the momentum with setter Keith Dickenscheidt at the service line. However, Dickenscheidt's jump serve went long, giving the Saints a sideout and knotting the game at 18.

The two teams exchanged a couple points a piece and once again tied things up at 20-20. The Warriors regained the advantage with a big kill from Issac Fizer in the front row. However, three straight unforced errors put Waubonsie Valley back in a hole.

St. Charles East was able to close out the first game on a kill by Eric Coleman and a violation by the Warriors for the final point of the game.

"We couldn't pass well so Keith couldn't set well," said Lagger. "When we were up 18-17 in the first game and missed the serve, the momentum shifted and later they rattled off five points to end the game."

Though the Warriors led early in the second game, unforced errors were once again a problem. Waubonsie Valley was up 10-8 before St. Charles East went on a 8-2 tear. During that span, the Warriors committed three unforced errors to give the Saints a 16-12 lead.

Big kills by George Ghassan and Alex Gigler kept Waubonsie Valley in the second game, but solid defensive play by St. Charles East kept the Warriors from gaining much ground.

St. Charles East (5-14, 2-1) got solid all around play, with six different players contributing kills in the final nine Saints' points.

"This was a huge victory for us," said Saints coach Stephanie Gooden. "The volleyball wasn't picture perfect at all times, but when that happens a team can hang their heads and get defeated or they can fight through those moments. We definitely fought for this match." Boys Volleyball: St. Charles East Def. Waubonsie Valley 25-21, 25-20