Celtics shake off rust, spike Vikings

Providence started Tuesday's Catholic League match against St. Laurence like a squad that hadn't played in more than a week. But the Celtics finished up like a team that's been ranked among the best in the state this season.

While the Vikings hung with Providence to the point of being tied 9-9 at one stage in Game 1, the top-ranked Celtics eventually went on to claim an easy 25-13, 25-9 victory in New Lenox.

Providence (7-0, 2-0) had been idle since winning the Marist tournament championship on March 22.

"We hadn't played in awhile, and that showed with our slow start in Game 1, especially defensively," Celtics coach Cindy Olczyk said.

"So we talked to captains Jonathan Gustafson and Dan Ruzich about stepping things up, and they did a great job.

"We have to improve in every match that we play, so we need to play some more matches. This is a very good group of guys, and many have been friends since grade school, and they've done a great job of jelling with their work during the offseason."

St. Laurence (2-8, 0-2) took a 5-1 lead and was still in it at 9-9 behind the hitting of Joe Jones (four kills) and Ralph Peck (four kills). But the Celtics scored 16 of the last 20 points in the opening game and jumped out to a 12-4 lead in Game 2.

Gustafson (19 assists) ran an attack led by Hayden Grove (seven kills), Eric Daliege (four kills) and Ruzich (four kills).

"We're actually coming together very well," Gustafson said. "We have all but two starters back, and we've all played together, most for the same club, and get along very well, so it's great to see us playing like this. We're kind of like a family.

"It was difficult taking last week off, so I'm glad we had a match, and we played very well, so I'm happy. The thing I love the most about this team is everyone is very passionate about the sport, and that's what's going to take us a long way."

Chase Pavlick (14 points) and Grove (11 points) were the top servers, while Ruzich (14 digs) and Alex Crawford (eight digs) paced the defense.

With several returning starters, the Celtics believe they have what it takes to contend for a spot in the state tournament.

"I feel like we're jelling really well and working together as a team, and that's helping us win," Ruzich said. "There's a lot of seniors on this team, and we've been together for a long time, and some of the younger kids have been stepping up big.

"We all have our minds set on one goal, and that goal is to make it downstate. BY all of us coming together, it makes it easier for us to strive for that goal. We all are looking forward to our goal, and if we work together I think we can reach it."