Patriots Defend Territory Against Jaguars

Wootton tops Northwest for sixth consecutive victory 25-18, 25-19, 25-15.

The name jaguar is derived from the Native American word yaguar, which means "he who kills with one leap."

Thank goodness for Wootton that volleyball matches are best of five 25-point sets, because the Patriots saw a big, physical, athletic group of Jaguars that can leap and kill with the best of teams in Montgomery County. It would take more than one leap to stop the Patriots' serve and pass game on its home court, but the Jaguars have marked their territory as a team on the rise and ready to challenge for the MCPS Championship. They are a talented group that is becoming a very good team. Coach Rob Smith is making good things happen with volleyballs at Northwest.

As Patriots do, Wootton's boys volleyball team defended its home turf. Seniors Aaron Yee, Eray Wang and Mark Yang were once again a steadying force and stepped up in key moments when the Patriots needed points. Setter Justin Fowler dished out 28 assists as he directed the offense in all three sets. Yee (7 kills), Nic Texier (3 kills, .500) Paul Malinauskas (11 kills, .270) and Jeffrey Qiu (7 kills, .750) led the attack. Yee (5 aces), Malinauskas (4 aces), Qiu (4 aces), Fowler (3 aces), Yang (3 aces) and Henry Zhou (2 aces) kept the Jaguars on the run with their serving. Christopher Wong and Michael Ip, along with Yee, led the team in digs. Charles Wang came off the bench to strengthen the Wootton block against the high (and hard) hitting Jaguars.

Wootton is on the road on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 to face the Kennedy Cavaliers in a 5:15 pm match. The winner of the Kennedy-Wootton match clinches the MCPS Gold Division Championship.