Loyola tops Evanston in battle of young teams

Updated: March 28, 2011 9:40AM

Evanston and Loyola's boys share several similarities this season on the

volleyball court.

Both teams are inexperienced and both came into Friday's match winless.

The host Ramblers got the better of the Wildkits to earn a 25-16,

25-20 victory. Loyola evened its record at 1-1, while Evanston dropped

to 0-3.

"We definitely have the potential, but we need to play to our

potential," said outside hitter Paul Juska, one of two returning

starters and one of four seniors for the Ramblers. "I think we went

through the motions (Friday), but we didn't make as many mistakes as

we did in our loss to Niles West. When we keep our fundamentals

strong, we are a solid team."

Juska led all players with nine kills and served up an ace to get Loyola to match point. Sophomore Chris Bulava's kill capped the win.

Another Loyola sophomore came up big early in the second set. Sean

Barry - the brother of 2010 graduate Patrick Barry, now playing at

Carthage -scored three consecutive aces to change the momentum.

"Those were difference-makers," said Loyola coach Lionel Ebeling,

whose team won the first set's final seven points.

Bulava followed Juska with seven kills. Setter Mario Asencio, the

other returning starter, had 18 assists.

Derek Guimond, one of two starters back for Evanston, did what he

could to keep the Wildkits close in the second set. The senior's kill

cut the deficit to four late, but Evanston continued its struggle with

consistency.

Shaquille Kennedy and Guimond each finished with five kills. Sophomore setter Mazzin Ajamia had eight assists, and junior Phil Strunk added seven.

"Experience is the thing," Guimond said. "We're going to get better.

We are raw. I mean, Mazzin is going to be a beast, but he needs time."

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