Boys Volleyball: Brother Rice dominates rival Marist

Updated: May 15, 2012 7:38PM

Midway through the season, Brother Rice sat with a disappointing 11-11 record.

Following a team meeting, it’s safe to say things have been a little bit more positive of late.

Including Tuesday’s dominating 26-24, 25-10 win at rival Marist, Brother Rice has won 11 of 12 matches, the only loss coming to the top-ranked team in the state, Wheaton Warrenville South.

“This is always a big one for us, and we wanted this one,” Rice setter Dan Dwyer said. “The meeting really got things going for us.”

Dwyer dished out 19 assists for Brother Rice (22-12) with Cody Leahy (10 digs), Mitch Weiler (six kills), Joe Pochinskas (six kills) and Ryan Paull (five blocks) contributing. Matt Mead had six kills for Marist (22-13) to go with efforts from Mike Schreiber (21 assists), Matt Mead (six kills) and five kills apiece from Tony Natalino, Matt Espinola and John Yerkes.

The Marist/Brother Rice rivalry might not have to wait long for a rematch. If the top seeds advance at next week’s Brother Rice regional, the RedHawks and Crusaders will face off for the title.

“It’s a good barometer for us, and it’s a great rivalry,” Brother Rice coach Br. Paul Ickes said. “Next week could be a completely different story. One (win) does not equal the other.”

After pulling out a squeaker in Game 1, the Crusaders dominated Game 2 from the get-go. As part of a game opening 9-2 run, Dwyer threw himself into the scorer’s table to save a hit going out of bounds.

The senior setter kept the ball inbounds, allowing Paull to finish off the point a volley later for the point.

“I was trying to do it without hurting myself,” Dwyer said. “There was a lot of padding on that thing so I was able to get all the way in and get it.”

Rice cruised with its service game, Leahy (five service points in Game 2) and Dwyer (six service points) leading the way. The Crusaders had six block kills as well in Game 2.

“We did a much better job serving aggressively,” Dwyer said. “Marist wasn’t ready for it with serve receive, and we served them off the court.”

For Marist, coach Bob St. Leger hopes his RedHawks can start clicking offensively, especially passing the ball.

“Every aspect of the game they played better than us,” St. Leger said. “We passed the ball in Game 1 and were able to do some things offensively. When that went, our team is going to struggle if we can’t pass.”

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