Boys Volleyball: Joel McGuire helps Lincoln-Way West stave off Andrew

Updated: May 2, 2012 7:41PM

Lincoln-Way West’s Joel McGuire had seen one lead squandered already in Tuesday’s SouthWest Suburban Red match at Andrew.

When it appeared another was about to be wasted, the senior outside hitter made sure the Warriors held on. Coming through with an ace and a huge block, McGuire helped turn the tide late in West’s 25-27, 25-13, 25-20 win over Andrew.

“We were struggling there a bit,” McGuire said. “We’ve left room for improvement though, and we want to get better toward the end of the year. Once we get everybody connecting, we’ll hopefully be going to state.”

McGuire (12 kills), Grayson Dewey (25 assists), Danny Murphy (nine kills, eight digs), and Dave O’Brien (seven kills) paced Lincoln-Way West (21-3, 6-1). Casey Bormet (13 kills, 13 digs), Sanil Thomas (30 assists) and Chris Pajak (19 digs) led host Andrew (11-10-1, 4-3).

Thanks to an impressive Dewey service run (six points), West was sitting pretty in Game 1 only to see Andrew face game-point five times and eventually squeak out a 27-25 win thanks to a game-closing 9-1 run and a Thomas kill.

West dominated Game 2, and looked to be doing the same in Game 3, but the Thunderbolts had one more rally. Tied at 18, McGuire’s huge block at the net and a service ace turned the momentum back for West, Dewey’s fourth kill closing the match.

“The ace I just tried to put the ball between the libero and the right side,” McGuire said. “Both went for it, and it caused a little confusion which is what we were going for.”

Showing glimpses of putting all-around play together, Andrew coach Troy Hari was encouraged with his team’s performance.

“This was a great game of momentum,” Hari said. “We’re right there (clicking), and we’re getting to it. Sanil is setting a great offense, but sometimes passing breaks down for us (as a team).”

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