A Newsletter for the Wootton High School Boys Volleyball Community

3.27.2009

Wootton Wins at Walter Johnson

Patriots score 25-19, 25-8, 25-20 victory; Improve season record to 4-0.

Playing without veterans Rex Hsu and Richard Fan, and defensive stalwart Chris Wong, the Patriots held off a younger, but well-coached Walter Johnson team in a key division matchup. Eray Wang stepped out of his setting role and performed admirably at swing hitter. Tony Malinauskas and Kevin Wong led the Patriot attack and, along with Alex Filie, contributed solid blocking. Aaron Yee ran the Wootton offense with intelligent set selection. Kevin Liang played a solid all-around game and established his role as the latest in Wootton's history of hard-hitting outside hitters.

The Patriots travel to meet the undefeated and multi-talented Rockets of Richard Montgomery on Tuesday, March 31. The boys game follows the 5:15 pm coed match.

3.26.2009

Wootton Wades Water, Wins Against Gaithersburg, 3-0

Patriots over Trojans 25-9, 25-11, 25-23 in Division Matchup

The volleyball fun at Wootton began flowing on Wednesday just around the same time as the water from a broken water main along Wootton Parkway. The coed match was soon to start, while many of the spectators were making their way to the match. In front of the high school, around 5 pm, Wootton Parkway was transformed into a small stream, blocking most traffic and forcing fans and players to change/adapt/improvise their routes to Wootton's gymnasium. Outside, construction workers directed traffic and worked well into the night to be sure
school would be open on Thursday.

Inside, the Patriot coed and boys volleyball teams began constructing their victories over the visiting Trojans. Energized by an impressive five game victory by the Wootton coed team, the boys took the floor against an athletic, personable Gaithersburg team that knows how to enjoy the game. Wootton's experienced players took the Trojans the first two games, led by Kevin Wong, Alex Filie, and Tony Malinauskas. Aaron Yee ran the offense, while Rex Hsu, Kevin Liang, Zhengyang Zhang, and Richard Fan played perhaps their best volleyball of the season so far.

Veterans Hsu, Fan and Liang, along with Eray Wang, led the younger Patriots in game three. Mark Yang, Chris Wong and Michael Ip played a solid all-around games, George Ewald patrolled the net, and Eric Zhang contributed an exceptional performance in the home stretch as the Patriots held off a relentless Gaithersburg rally.

Next up: the Patriots visit Walter Johnson in a critical division match up on Friday, 3/27. The boys game follows the 5:15 coed match.

3.23.2009

Patriots Win Second Straight Match

Win at Einstein, 25-5, 25-11, 25-14

Einstein coaches Emily Hallam and James Chan run a classy program with good team spirit and are gracious hosts. Their success with developing student-athletes is evident in how their first year volleyball players enjoy the game and the entire team's sportsmanship on the court. It's a pleasure to compete against and associate with good people.

The younger Patriot players were exceptional in their performance in the third game. With Eray Wang leading the way at setter, Xinyuan Wang, Michael Ip, Mark Yang, Eric Zhang performed well all-around, with George Ewald and Chris Wong making significant contributions at the net and back row, respectively.

The Patriots jumped out to early leads in games one and two and played steadily throughout. Aaron Yee directed the Patriot offense in game 1 and Eray Wang in game 2. Veterans Alex Filie, Kevin Wong and Tony Malinauskas paced the Patriot attack. Kevin Liang, Richard Fan, Zhengyang Zhang, and Rex Hsu contributed strong all-around performances. Chris Wong again showed his gutsy approach defensive play during game 2.

The Patriots return home on Wednesday, March 25 for a 7:00 pm match against Gaithersburg, following the 5:15 coed match.

3.21.2009

Wootton Wins 2009 Opener

Patriots defeat Blake 25-9, 25-7, 27-25

Behind an effective serving game (25 aces), and playing in front of its home crowd, the Patriots opened the 2009 season with an important victory against a young Bengal squad. Alex Filie led the serving effort with nine aces. Aaron Yee (5 aces), Rex Hsu (3 aces), Kevin Wong (3 aces), Tony Malinauskas (3 aces), Richard Fan, Zhengyang Zhang, Chris Wong, Michael Ip and Kevin Liang joined Filie on the court during the first two games.

Of note was the exceptional, come-from-behind victory in game three by Wootton's younger players. Facing a deficit of six points mid-game and down 21-23 late in the game, the Patriots rallied behind the steady play of Xinyuan Wang, Eray Wang's setting, George Ewald's net play, Mark Yang's hitting, Eric Zhang's ball control, and Chris Wong's gutsy defensive play.

Next up: The Patriots travel to meet the Titans of Einstein High School on Monday, March 23.