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Reavis puts away Shepard
Updated: April 5, 2011 2:14PM
With just one returning starter from last year's conference co-champion, Reavis' boys volleyball team has had its ups and downs in 2011.
Friday was no different, but the roller-coaster ride ended with an up in a 26-24, 25-11 South Suburban Red win over Shepard in Palos Heights.
"We don't know how to put the gas pedal to the floor," Reavis coach Bob Wielgos said after his club improved to 5-4, 3-1. "We're still learning. We have the capability, but we need to focus. We're getting there, though, and we're starting to come together."
Game 1 went back and forth until Shepard (1-8, 0-4) went on a 7-0 run behind two kills and a block from Steve Martinez (5 kills) to go up 17-10. Reavis slowly crept back, using a 9-4 run, capped by two aces from Chris Rusznica (5 kills), to cut the Astros' lead to 21-19.
A kill by Garrett Connolly (6 kills) made it 22-19 Astros, but a lift and two spikes out of bounds later by the Astros and the game was tied at 22.
"We always talk about mental toughness and how much that makes a team," said Reavis' Ruben Puha, who had eight kills. "We showed we can come back on and beat any team in this conference."
A combo block by Reavis' Jacob Weglowski and Will Ruiz (5 kills, 6 blocks) tied the game at 24 and a netted spike by Shepard and a kill by Ruiz ended the game.
The second game was no contest, as Reavis broke out to an 11-5 lead. With Michael Lara (15 assists) behind the service line, the Rams went on a 9-0 run. Lara had two aces and a kill during the run.
"I think we came out nervous in the first game," Lara said. "For now, we've been coming out kind of slow, but as soon as we change that we'll start picking up momentum and wins.
"We take experience out of this win. We really need experience because the quicker we build momentum, the better."
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