In Beaverton, the iSPIKE boys volleyball team won the championship match for their age level in the two day tournament this past weekend. The team, which is currently ranked 52nd in the nation out of 502 teams, only dropped 2 sets all tournament.
On day one of pool play, the team played well with some strong showings from setter Calvin McGary, outside hitter Noah Harrington, middle hitter Kent David, and libero Hugo Garcia. In the last set of the day against Kokua, the iSPIKE boys were down 7-19. Libero Hugo Garcia led a serving streak to tie the set, plus one. Kokua made some key errors while the iSPIKE boys made some aggressive plays at the net and key defensive digs. The team ended up winning the set 25-22. In the second set, the iSPIKE team came out ready and was able to keep control of the set with some key hits by Seth Moore.
On day two of the double elimination bracket, iSPIKE was ranked #2 into the gold bracket. They drew the #3 ranked team, Ajax Black. The team came out making some errors which put them behind in set 1 against the solid defense and serve receive of Ajax. iSPIKE, eventually, settled down to come from a 6 point deficit and win the set, eventually winning the match, 25-23, 25-12.
In the semi final match up against Blue Royal from Seattle, Washington, the teams put on a show with both bringing power at the front line and tough serves. iSPIKE was by a combination of kills from middle Kent David and outsides Noah Harrington and Noah Hendrix. David also put up some key blocks along with Calvin McGary to shut down the Blue Royals outside hitter. The match went to 3 sets with the iSPIKE boys coming away with the victory. This put them into the championship match.
For the championship match, iSPIKE drew a repeat of the Blue Royals who fought their way out of the losers bracket. Unfortunately, with the score tied at 6-6 in the first set, a key player went down with injury on the Blue Royals team leaving them to finish the match with 5 players. iSPIKE won the match in 2 sets, earning the championship match win and overall tournament win.
Katie Miller
