Reavis rebounds, drops Eisenhower

Updated: March 28, 2011 9:38AM

Playing Oak Forest Tuesday in its season opener, Reavis got an eye-opener.

The matchup of last season's South Suburban co-champions was a one-sided one, Oak Forest rolling in two quick games.

With a quick turnaround, the Rams regrouped Wednesday at Eisenhower, winning 25-10, 25-14 in a South Suburban Red showdown.

"We came out (Tuesday) thinking we were prepared when we weren't," Reavis' Chris Rusznica said. "It was a wake-up call, and it showed that we shouldn't screw around in practice, and we have to handle what we do."

Rusznica finished with three kills, seven digs and four blocks in an all-around effort for Reavis (1-1, 1-1) to go with efforts from Kamil Borowski (5 blocks, 3 kills), Ruben Puha (6 kills), and Michael Lara (17 assists).

For a team that returns only one starter (Rusznica) from last year's squad, Reavis coach Bob Wielgos expected some early struggles, but the potential is waiting to be tapped.

"With a young team, it's going to take some time, but the talent is there," Wielgos said. "It's just the mental mistakes right now. Oak Forest is the top right now, and we have a lot to do to catch them."

The Rams wasted no time establishing the tone of Wednesday's match with three quick points, a Rusznica kill sandwiched by Borowski blocks. Following two Eisenhower points and a Cardinal service error, Rusznica's service game took over.

Starting with an ace, the senior captain ran off six unanswered points that included a second ace to go with a kill from Borowski, two from Puha, and one Eisenhower hit into the net.

"You always serve for a couple minutes to try and get prepared (pre-game), and coach Wielgos says where to serve," Rusznica said. "Mentally, you just have to be there, and sometimes it's there. Sometimes it's not."

After cruising in the opener, Reavis fought off a pesky Eisenhower (0-2, 0-2) squad in the second. Leading 18-14, Will Ruiz answered with his first and only kill of the match.

Taking his turn at the service line, Ruiz closed out the game on a 6-0 run that was highlighted by three aces.

For Eisenhower, Brad Stitts and Sigi Esparza had three kills apiece.

"We're trying to get some matches in and get some experience for a young team," Eisenhower coach Stan Natonek said. "We see everyone (in conference) twice so it's all about learning how to play."

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