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Thunderbolts take down Lockport
Updated: April 25, 2011 6:24AM
From past experience, Andrew coach Troy Hari knows it takes about half the season for his team to gel.
Nearing midseason, he likes where his team is heading.
Heading into the bulk of the conference slate, the Thunderbolts overcame some struggles in the second game of Mondays SouthWest Suburban crossover win at Lockport to pull out a 25-14, 27-25 winner.
"We're definitely going in the right direction," Hari said. "Just looking at our last couple matches, weve been elevating our play."
Paul Bilanzic led Andrew (10-8) with nine kills and four kills to go along with efforts from Jimmy Boyce (25 assists, 5 digs), Bobby Renaud (6 kills), and Jake Bednarczyk (7 kills).
Lockport (4-6) was led by Drew Dicksens seven kills while Zach Sladek and Caleb Perkinson chipped in with two kills apiece.
Capitalizing on 10 Porter errors in the opener, Andrew cruised with five different players recording a kill. The momentum rolled over into the second game as the Thunderbolts opened an early 10-3 advantage behind Bilanzics strong play at the net.
"We really did a good job in the first game, but we got away from (the game plan) in the second," Bilanzic said. "It tested us, but we were able to pull out the game doing pretty well as a team."
Looking like an easy victory was in its grasp, Andrew saw the Porters roar back into the game, finally tying the game at 18-all on a Sladek kill.
With a chance to force a third game though, Lockport could not convert two different game points late, allowing Andrew a second chance. Tied at 25 after a Lockport hit went out of bounds, Renaud slammed home a kill while Tyler Cosmes first kill of the match was the game-winner.
"We gave over-passes, we gave up too many aces, and our service play wasnt good enough," Hari said. "We just missed too many serves, especially in that second game."
With the win Monday though, the Thunderbolts can gear up for Wednesdays contest with Sandburg. Bilanzic and his teammates hope that momentum just keeps on rolling.
"We can and will get better," Bilanzic said. "I know that. The conference matches will test us the same way Lockport did in the second game."
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