Blazers end Patriots' 14 match win streak 25-19, 29-27, 25-22.
5.07.2011
Wootton Advances to Semifinal Match Against Favored Blair
Patriots claw past Northwest Jaguars 25-17, 25-17, 25-11.
The stage was set for the Wootton-Northwest rematch in the quarterfinals of the MCPS playoffs. Since their meeting on April 4 (a 3-0 Wootton victory), the Jaguars had won 7 of 8 matches in convincing fashion, dropping only a close five set match against Clarksburg. Coach Rob Smith's team is one of the most athletic (and tallest) teams in the county. Obviously well-coached, the Jags are tough, physical opponent that gave Wootton fits at the net during the first match.
The Wootton bandwagon was riding a 13 match win streak, but this time, with the season now on the line, each team's challenge was set.
Wootton had been experimenting with a variety of lineups all season long, going as deep as 15 players in most matches. Throughout the regular season, however, a key to the Patriots' success was the leadership and resolve of the three seniors: Mark Yang, Eray Wang and Aaron Yee. Each has proved to be a steadying force for a young team with high expectations of itself.
So, with Yang, Wang and Yee leading the way, the Patriots played their most complete match of the season, responding to a strong Jaguar block and attack.
With the win, Wootton advances to the semifinals against a talented and favored Blair team (see season preview http://www.gazette.net/gazettecms/story.php?id=2673 and "Blair Boys ...again reigning supreme" http://www.gazette.net/gazettecms/story.php?id=2810) Blair team that features two All-County players and several of the top club players on the East Coast. The match will be played in Wootton's gym on Tuesday, May 10. First serve is set for 6 pm.
The stage was set for the Wootton-Northwest rematch in the quarterfinals of the MCPS playoffs. Since their meeting on April 4 (a 3-0 Wootton victory), the Jaguars had won 7 of 8 matches in convincing fashion, dropping only a close five set match against Clarksburg. Coach Rob Smith's team is one of the most athletic (and tallest) teams in the county. Obviously well-coached, the Jags are tough, physical opponent that gave Wootton fits at the net during the first match.
The Wootton bandwagon was riding a 13 match win streak, but this time, with the season now on the line, each team's challenge was set.
Wootton had been experimenting with a variety of lineups all season long, going as deep as 15 players in most matches. Throughout the regular season, however, a key to the Patriots' success was the leadership and resolve of the three seniors: Mark Yang, Eray Wang and Aaron Yee. Each has proved to be a steadying force for a young team with high expectations of itself.
So, with Yang, Wang and Yee leading the way, the Patriots played their most complete match of the season, responding to a strong Jaguar block and attack.
With the win, Wootton advances to the semifinals against a talented and favored Blair team (see season preview http://www.gazette.net/gazettecms/story.php?id=2673 and "Blair Boys ...again reigning supreme" http://www.gazette.net/gazettecms/story.php?id=2810) Blair team that features two All-County players and several of the top club players on the East Coast. The match will be played in Wootton's gym on Tuesday, May 10. First serve is set for 6 pm.
5.04.2011
Patriots Advance to Round Two
Wootton tops Clarksburg Coyotes 25-7, 25-11, 25-11; Play Northwest on May 6.
Top seeded Wootton faced a young, 16th-seeded Clarksburg team at Wootton in the first round of playoffs. Clarksburg is a team on the rise, having played 7 of it's 12 matches to a fifth and deciding game, and winning 5 of its last 6 matches, just the kind of seasoning a young team needs to develop and look toward a promising future.
Wootton relied on it's serve and transition game to come out on top. Seniors Aaron Yee, Eray Wang and Mark Yang led the Patriots as they have all season. Setter Justin Fowler, along with Wang, directed the Patriot offense. Paul Malinauskas, Henry Zhou, Yee and Wang led the Patriots on the outside, while Nic Texier and Charles Wang were solid in the middle. Jeffrey Qiu provided spark with his serving and play on the outside and middle. Christopher Wong and Michael Ip led the Patriot defensive effort, along with Cary Chin and Ben Wang.
Wootton meets #9 seed Northwest in a second round playoff game in Wootton's gym on Friday, May 6 at 5:15 pm.
5.02.2011
Three More Wins for Patriots; Earn #1 Seed for Playoffs.
Wootton tops Seneca Valley, Gaithersburg and Poolesville.
Wootton completed its 2011 regular season with a 12-0 match record (36-1 set record) and earned the top seed in the MCPS playoffs for the third consecutive year.
On Wednesday, April 27, the Patriots traveled to Seneca Valley to take on the Screaming Eagles. A 25-5, 25-13, 25-12 victory was earned by a strong serving and transition game.
On Friday, April 29, the Patriots hosted the Gaithersburg Trojans, scoring a quick 25-8, 25-6, 25-11 win led by seniors Eray Wang, Mark Yang and Aaron Yee. After the match, the Wootton volleyball community paused to recognize the contributions of Wang, Yang and Yee to Wootton volleyball. Consider their remarkable 4-year record:
Regular season match record: 39-7
Regular season set record: 134-24
4 playoff appearances (2008 1st round, 2009 semifinalist, 2010 finalist, 2011 TBD)
Three years #1 seed in playoffs.
In the final regular season match, the Patriots traveled west to meet the Poolesville Falcons. Once again relying on its serving and transition game, the Patriots scored a 25-13, 25-14, 25-14 victory.
#1 Wootton will host #16 Clarksburg on Wednesday, May 4 at 6 pm in the first round of the MCPS playoffs.
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