Balanced Lincoln-Way East wins twice

With only two players taller than 6-foot-2 on his team, Lincoln-Way East coach Kris Fiore isn't about to panic.

What the Griffins may lack in height, they may up for with jumpers. Lots of jumpers.

"It's going to be a good transition from last year where a lot of kids got a lot of learning experience," Fiore said. "We're not very big, but defensively we're able to get to a lot of balls with our athleticism. Blocking we may lose a little bit, but we'll pick it up behind them."

With eight different players recording a kill, Lincoln-Way East cruised to a 25-14, 25-10 pool-play win over host Oak Lawn in the Marist Invitational.

The Griffins also defeated Notre Dame 25-15, 25-27, 15-11 to play in Saturday's Gold Division at Marist.

"We're really deep, especially when our second-string guys come in and do well," Fiore said.

Jason Garnett, Matt Murphy, and John Kapanick had four kills apiece for the Griffins (3-0) while Nathan Royer added three. Ryan Dexter and Austin Royer finished with nine assists each.

Dexter, who splits time at setter, smiles when he thinks of his on-court duties; just put the ball up there.

"It's just spreading the ball out," Dexter said. "The passing is great, and the hitters are great. All I've got to do is get the ball to the hitters, and they'll put it away."

Opening the weekend invitational, that's what the Griffins did.

Tied at 4 in the first game, Nathan Royer slammed his first kill with an Oak Lawn hit into the net following.

The offensive explosion was on as East managed runs of five and seven unanswered points, closing the opener out on an extended 20-9 run.

"We know we can play defense so height isn't a problem," Dexter said. "We have enough speed and athleticism to make up for it."

Unleashing wave after wave of outside hitters, the offense continued to dominate into the second game with Kevin McClafferty closing things out with three late kills.

For Oak Lawn (2-2), Pat McGuinness had four kills.

"East was an excellent team, and they played really well," Oak Lawn coach Ryan Skendzel said. "We gave them too many free balls, and they capitalized. We just played with no emotion, and that was the difference."

The Spartans later lost to Notre Dame 25-22, 25-17.

In other pool play action at Oak Lawn, Andrew beat Mount Carmel 25-17, 25-19 and St. Charles East 25-14, 25-22 and will play at Marist in the Gold Division Saturday.

Mount Carmel beat St. Charles East 32-30, 25-19.

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