Patriots Go Across County, Down Gladiators 3-0

Wootton tops Northwood 25-3, 25-3, 25-10; Season record at 4-0

The pieces to Wootton's 2011 season puzzle are accounted for and in hand, but fitting them together in a coherent way to score high is a challenge that any Scrabble player can appreciate. If stacked with one or more high-value letters and an opportunity on the board for a triple letter/word score, try your best to match 'em up and rack up some major points. Knowing that Northwood is a well-coached team with good athletes, Wootton prepared for a battle in this Gold Division match-up. As the match began, the Patriots realized they were catching Northwood on a down day. No doubt, however, the Gladiators will bounce back and rack up points of their own as they move through the rest of their season. Good coaches and good athletes make sure of that.

For Wootton, the triple word score manifested as a three game sweep with each player seeing court time. Seniors Aaron Yee, Mark Yang and Eray Wang once again let the Patriots to victory with a strong supporting cast of five juniors, four sophomores and three freshmen. The pieces are in hand, yet completing the 2011 puzzle will continue to depend on how many high value pieces are in hand when the opportunities are presented.

The Patriots return home for another Gold Division match against rival Churchill on Friday, April 1, 2011 at 7 pm. There will be no fooling around when the Patriots and Bulldogs face each other across the net.

Aces for Wootton at Home Against Rockville

Patriots serve 21 aces in 25-16, 25-10, 25-10 win against Rams. Season record at 3-0.

Wootton opened up MCPS Gold Division play against cross-city rival Rockville in a match where the Patriots fell behind early in the first set before stepping up an aggressive serving campaign in front of its home fans. Six of the fifteen Wootton players that saw court action served aces, with freshman Paul Malinauskas leading the way with seven aces. Senior Mark Yang and sophomore Jeffrey Qiu recorded four aces each.

Once again, Yang, along with All-County senior Aaron Yee and Do-Everything senior Eray Wang led the Patriots to victory. Yee, along with Malinauskas, tallied 8 kills apiece. Qiu, along with junior Nic Texier had four kills each, while sophomore Henry Zhou Wang directed the Patriot offense to decisive wins in sets two and three, while sophomore setter Justin Fowler set the pace in the first and second sets before taking a much needed break. Sophomore Charles Wang had 2 kills and two blocks in his first varsity start.

As a team, Wootton hit at a .343 clip in the match.

Juniors Christopher Wong and Michael Ip, along with freshmen Cary Chin and Benjamin Wang, led the Patriot defense and passing game. Alan Ngyun and Eric Zhang came off the bench to close out the Wootton victory with strong blocking at the net.

The Patriots travel across county to face the Northwood Gladiators on Monday, March 28, 2011 in a Gold Division match. The coed match begins at 3:30 pm, followed by Yee, Yang, Wang and company.

Patriots Buzz By Damascus 3-0

Claim first two sets 25-11, 25-13; Swat back Hornets 26-24 after feeling sting of home team's rally.

Wootton traveled north to Damascus on Wednesday, March 23 to take on an athletic Hornet squad in a non-division match. The match tested Wootton's depth as the Patriot bench was depleted to compete against an opponent that proved to be stronger as the match progressed.

Seniors Aaron Yee, Eray Wang, and Mark Yang led the Patriot charge. Juniors Nic Texier, Michael Ip and Alan Nugyen were steady on defense and transition. Sophomore Justin Fowler shared setting duties with Wang and Yee. Sophomores Jeffrey Qui and Charles Wang were strong at the net while fellow Sophomore Henry Zhou led all Patriots with 8 kills. Zhou was especially clutch in a come-from-behind win in set three.

Freshmen Cary Chin and Benjamin Wang made their varsity debut in the back row, while fellow frosh Paul Malinauskas provided offensive firepower in the first two sets.

The Patriots return home on Friday, March 25 against cross-town rival Rockville High school for city bragging rights and the mythical city crown.

Wootton Serves Up 2011 Season Opener With 3-1 Win

Patriots top Richard Montgomery Rockets, 22-25, 25-16, 25-16, 25-13

The senior trio of Aaron Yee, Mark Yang and Eray Wang led a young Patriot team to victory to open the 2011 season. Each in their four year of varsity play, Yee, Yang and Wang drew on their experience to steady Wootton's serve and receive game after the Rockets opened up an eleven point lead at the start of the first set.

Two-year All-County player Aaron Yee paced the Patriot attack with 14 kills. Yang gave the Patriots a lead in set two with his strong serves, finishing with 4 aces in the match. All-around utility player Wang stepped in to serve, pass, and block as the Patriots attempted to match the outstanding play of Richard Montgomery's Justin Chang, Jacob Hartranft and Brendan Chang.

Juniors Michael Ip and Christopher Wong opened up the Patriot attack with 86% combined passing efficiency, and created opportunities in the transition game with their digging.

Sophomore setter Justin Fowler directed the offense, with Junior Nic Texier (5 kills) and Sophomore Jeffrey Qiu (3 kills) a constant force in the middle of the net. Qui also had a strong serving game with 2 aces and 9 missiles on 16 serves. Sophomore Henry Zhou and Freshman Paul Malinauskas (9 kills) joined Yee on the outside attack.

Also seeing action for the Patriots were first year players Charles Wang and Alan Ngyun, who helped close out the victory in the fourth set.

Wootton hits the road on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 to play the Hornets of Damascus High School. The Coed match starts at 5:15 pm, followed by the boys match (approximately 7 pm).