Boys volleyball: Larkin takes down crosstown rival Elgin
| Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media |
Updated: April 26, 2012 10:40PM
Two weeks ago Elgin coach Scott Stewart was very disappointed in his team’s effort in a loss to Larkin and guaranteed the Maroons would put up a better effort in their second matchup against their rivals.
Elgin did put together a stronger effort, but it wasn’t enough as Larkin swept the season series after a 25-21,17-25, 25-10 victory Thursday at Elgin.
Larkin was led by Tim Yang with 15 assists, T.J. Weaver with seven blocks and Aldair Cortes with nine kills.
“We kept focused after playing bad in the second game and that focus helped us win a very tough match,” Weaver said. “We made a lot less mistakes in the third game and got a huge win.”
Larkin (5-15) got off to a quick start against Elgin in a nonconference matchup. Larkin dominated the net in the first game and got off to a quick 6-2 lead. Elgin (5-17) did make a strong comeback, but Larkin pulled away to take the first game.
Game 2 was a huge wakeup call for the Maroons. Elgin took advantage of several Larkin errors and made a lot fewer mistakes themselves. The Maroons dominated the second game from start to finish, and were able to even the match after winning Game 2.
In an ebb and flow match, it was Larkin that stepped up when it needed to in the pivotal third game. Larkin dominated the last game, and Elgin had no answer for the Royals dominance.
Larkin coach Henry Graack was pleased with how his team rebounded after playing a poor second game.
“I was very pleased with how we played in the third game today,” Graack said. “We lost a close game to Leyden on Monday, and it was very important for us to get this victory today. We have focused a lot on defense and that really showed in the first and third games today.”
“Larkin had our number today,” Stewart said. “I was happy with how we played in the second game, but we had no energy in the final game and that showed in the score.”
Elgin was led by Angel Hernandez with 19 assists and Elrich Keophilallay with seven kills.
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