Varsity Boys Volleyball won 3-2 against Lynbrook High School on Monday, May 5 in its final home game of the season. The Matadors have previously played LHS three times this season, with the first two games ending in a 3-1 loss and the most recent ending in a 3-1 win. Head Coach Paul Chiu attributed the team’s win to improved defense compared to past games against LHS.
“We played great defense today, we hustled,” Chiu said. “There were some moments where we blocked really well, and there was a lot of back and forth, so that really stood out to me that the team played really well and was able to change.”
The Matadors gained momentum at the beginning of the second set by establishing a 4-0 lead, resulting in a LHS timeout when the lead grew to 12-5. The team maintained consistent defense throughout the remainder of the set, winning the set 25-17 and tying the game at 1-1.
In the third set, LHS scored multiple kills, while MVHS missed a few serves, giving LHS the upper hand in the first half. However, the Matadors gained momentum over the next few rallies, tying the score at 22-22. The tense gameplay continued, both sides earning points until the Matadors ended the third set 26-24 with a block from junior and middle blocker Joaquin Garcia.
While LHS managed to catch up and win the fourth set 28-26, the Matadors ultimately won the game 15-10 in the fifth set. For freshman Ayan Deshpande, the game had many ups and downs, especially with the back-and-forth rallies. However, Deshpande says the team persevered and played well with a strong mentality. Overall, he acknowledges both his strengths and areas for improvement.
“The coach told me to step up so I can take the pass,” Deshpande said. “But I think I’ve improved on jumping higher and getting a nice swing. I’ve been working on connecting with the setter and passing well.”
Chiu agrees, noting that although the team can work on consistency in serving and blocking, it made multiple strong defensive plays. According to Chiu, the Matadors had several key rallies that helped it win the game. Chiu looks forward to a strong end to the season, especially with the boost from additional practice before league championships.
“I tell the team periodically to trust their training and embrace the moment,” Chiu said. “Embrace the pressure that’s coming because the pressure is going to ramp up, especially because we’re going to be in CCS next week.”
