A Newsletter for the Wootton High School Boys Volleyball Community

4.27.2009

Blair Edges Wootton 3-2

Blazers squeak out tight victory over Patriots, 22-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-23, 18-16.

The great UCLA basketball coach John Wooden said, "Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts."

Legendary Penn State coach Joe Paterno noted "The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital."

For the Wootton boys volleyball team, the will to prepare for each match this year resulted in ten consecutive victories. Alas, that success hit a bump in the road Monday evening against a very talented and experienced Blair team considered by many to be one the best two teams in Montgomery County.

Blair and Wootton battled in a five game match that reached a level of intensity and competitiveness that tested each team's resolve. It was, aguably, the most fun the Wootton boys had all year. Each set was close, with Wootton taking the first two and Blair clawing back to take sets three, four, and five.

For Wootton, sophomore setter Aaron Yee had an outstanding match, quarterbacking the Patriot attack for all five sets. Seniors Alex Filie and Kevin Wong, along with Junior Tony Malinauskas, elevated the Wootton blocking game. Seniors Rex Hsu and Richard Fan, along with Junior Kevin Liang and Sophomore Eray Wang, contributed clutch performances at critical times during the match.

Having learned that their failure to win this match was not fatal, the Patriots begin their preparation for the playoffs. As division champions, and with a 32-4 set record for the season, Wootton is in a position to earn a high seeding and possible home court advantage in the early rounds.

Next up: The last regular season match will be at Rockville on Wednesday, April 29 at 5:15 pm. Playoffs begin May 6.

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