St. Clair Colts Claim First in Boys Volleyball
Andrew Brethauer   November 5th, 2010
 

It was a battle of the top two teams on Thursday night at St. Clair, as the St. Clair Colts and St. Christopher Cyclones played the final game of the season in both Junior and Senior boys Volleyball. The St. Clair Juniors had first place locked up, but were trying to keep their perfect season going. While in Senior action, the winner would take first place, as both teams sported the same 6-1 record.

The Junior action started with both teams scoring off of serve and blocks. The Cyclones would open a lead, but it was only by two points in the first set early on. As the set continues, the Cyclones would begin to pull away, but the Colts stayed close with powerful spikes at the net. The Cyclones had opened up a four point lead, but the Colts cut that lead to one. But it was too little to late, as the Cyclones take the first set on a smash, and lead the best of three, 1-0.

The second set saw a different turn, as the Colts came out and opened with a 5-1 run before the Cyclones took a timeout to try and settle the team down. The timeout seemed to have helped the Colts, as they opened up a ten point lead midway through the match, before the Cyclones could snap the point streak. And for the rest of the set, the Cyclones could only put a stop to a Colt point streak, before another one began. The small height advantage the Colts had at the net helped to block incoming smash attempts. The Colts would hold the Cyclones to single digits, as they go on to win the set 25-9.

With the third and deciding set, the Cyclones began with some miscommunication while the Colts opened with a 4-1 lead. The Cyclones would battle back and on an ace on serve, would tie the match at seven. From there, the two teams would go back and forth, breaking each others serve for the next couple points. But the Colts would again hit a streak, and take a five point lead, leading 17-12. They would open that lead up to seven, leading 22-15, but the Cyclones would make a comeback, closing the gap to within two, but ultimately dropping the third set 25-21.

With the victory the Junior Colts go undefeated 14-0 for the season, only dropping five sets all season. The Colts will take on St. Patrick’s in the semi-finals, while St. Christopher’s will take on S.C.I.T.S. in the other semi-finals.

Senior boy’s action began close just as the juniors did, with each team breaking each others serve. The Cyclones would pull away early, opening up a four point lead. But that lead would not last long, as the Colts would close the gap by going on small runs and eventually tie up the score. With a break on serve, the Colts would take over, scoring three in a row to take a 20-17 lead. The rally would continue for the Colts as they finish out the set on serve and take it 25-17.

The second set saw the Colts opening the lead, taking three and four point leads through the majority of the set. The Colts were tough at the net and capitalized on the mistakes of the Cyclones. St. Christopher’s would call a timeout, but the Colts would continue to maintain their four point lead. St. Clair would begin runs of points on St. Christopher’s, again holding them to only 17 points, as they take the second set 25-17.

The third and final set saw the Cyclones open up with a lead, while St. Clair played catch up. The Cyclones would lead by five at point, using strong net play and well placed volleys to get points. St. Clair took a timeout, and afterwards began to fight back and close the gap. But the Cyclones held onto their lead, still holding a four point advantage when they hit the 21 point mark. Needing only two points to put the set away, the Cyclones could not finish off the Colts. St. Clair fought back and tied the game at 24. With two block shots, St. Clair took the lead 26-25, but still needed a final score. A miss tip over by the Cyclones would get the Colts the victory, 27-25.

With the win, and sweep of all three sets, St. Clair moves to 7-1, and takes first place in the Senior division. They will take on LCCVI in their semi-final match, while the Cyclones take on the Northern Vikings in the other final.