Boys Volleyball: Sandburg rallies past Providence

After a less than stellar closing performance in Tuesday’s opening game against Providence, Sandburg regrouped in a big way.

Playing without star setter Scott Fifer, the Eagles did not turn to any one player. This was most definitely a team win. With contributions from all over the court, Sandburg came back in dominant fashion, winning 22-25, 25-20, 25-20 over Providence at Lewis University in Romeoville.

“A complete team win,” Payonk said. “If one person is off, we’re all there to pick them up. Even with Scott out, we were still competing and playing with the best.”

Payonk (six kills, five blocks), Paul Chmura (eight kills, six digs, three aces), Mike Scannell (10 kills), Nick Bendell (29 assists) and John Hodul (seven kills, four blocks) led Sandburg (15-9).

Providence (13-13) was paced by Brendan Surane (10 kills), Marty Ross (eight kills, six blocks) and Dan Niemiec (13 assists).

Proceeds from Tuesday’s nonconference match went to the family of 2011 Providence grad Josh Pilon El Bey who was diagnosed in October 2011 with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He now is a month away from being cancer free. El Bey received a standing ovation from the crowd pre-match.

“I was extremely flattered,” El Bey said. “It just makes me happy. It’s very motivating to know that I’m close to it (beating cancer).”

El Bey transferred to Providence his sophomore year. Volleyball coach Brett Krapil was his guidance counselor.

In game action, Sandburg stormed back to win Game 2, and kept on rolling into the third. The Eagles had 16 kills, two aces and two blocks in the game to take the win. Chmura had five kills, Payonk three kills and a block, and Scannell two kills to lead the way in the third.

“We played smarter shots and weren’t just trying to rip it,” Payonk said. “We were placing our shots and being smart about it.”

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