Sandburg again gets best of Marist

Updated: April 14, 2011 2:18PM

Knocking out host Marist in quick fashion in the first game of Tuesday's nonconference match, Sandburg's Kevin Groeper and his teammates knew a RedHawks run was coming their way.

It did as Marist regrouped in the second, but a resilient Eagles squad fought off three different game points to hold on for a 25-17, 28-26 win in Mount Greenwood in a matchup of the Sun-Times' top two teams.

"It was crazy with all the (Marist) fans yelling, and it was hard to concentrate," Groeper said. "You've just go to focus and do what you have to do, just play volleyball."

No. 1 Sandburg's win was the second over No. 2 Marist in the last two weeks as the Eagles won in three games in the championship of the Wheaton Warrenville South Invitational.

More than that, Sandburg had some unfinished business on Marist's court after losing in the sectional semifinals last season against Providence Catholic.

"It was a good win, and I'm happy we pulled it out in this gym with a good crowd and a playoff-like atmosphere," Sandburg coach Sean Airola said. "Its good experience for our kids who had a little resentment left from last year losing on this court."

Tommy Carmody had five kills and five blocks for Sandburg (10-2) while Andrew Muys and Groeper had four kills apiece. Nick Bendell finished with 15 assists while Phil Hanrahan had 10 digs.

Sandburg made short work of Marist in the first game, going up 10-2 and never looking back. The RedHawks didn't go quietly in the second game, coming back from an early 8-5 deficit.

With chances to close out the game late though, Marist (10-2) could not put two straight points together. After a Sean Connelly kill for the RedHawks tied the game at 26, Groeper smashed his fourth kill of the match and a Marist hit went out of bounds to give Sandburg the win.

"I challenged them after the first game, and we stepped up," Marist coach Bob St. Leger said. "We made some big plays, and we made some bad decisions too with some out of rhythm swings. Our execution's got to get better."

Kevin Morrison had nine kills and three blocks for Marist to go with efforts from Garrett Dempsey (18 assists, 7 service points), Kevin Murphy (11 digs), Jim Mead (4 kills) and Connelly (4 kills).

"Marist is a great team, and we knew they'd come back firing," Groeper said. "We played our best and were able to pull it out."

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