Poly def. Lakewood, 25-15, 25-20, 25-20

This comes as something of a surprise; the talk of The Big Three has (at least temporarily) become talk of The Big Two, as Poly easily swept Lakewood on the Lancers’ home court on Thursday.  The Lancers never had a run of more than 3 points, while Poly had four.  Lakewood’s height advantage was negated by the speedy Poly offense, expertly directed in this Moore League match by Garrett Covey, a sophomore already playing well beyond his years.  He perfectly set outside to John La Rusch, who had a match-high 13 kills, as well as a block and three aces, and in the middle to Jolon Clark, who had 8 kills and 5 blocks.  The whole team defended well, frustrating Lakewood’s attackers.  Zach Perez finished with 8 kills, and Sean McGee with 7 to pace the Lancers.

“There was only one point in the game where I looked at my assistant and said, ‘We just need to play like that,'” said Lancers coach Jeremy Moenoa, who said his team wasn’t focused and in the game.  “It’s more mental with this group than physical,” he said.

Poly coach Vuthy Cheav was keeping his team even-keeled after the win, making sure nobody got ahead of themselves.  “There’s always room to improve,” he said.  “It was a great win, but we have to keep working.”  Poly’s next league match, after Spring Break on April 13th, will be against Wilson, their big test and a game that could be a classic if both teams play to their potential.

La Rusch, who is preparing to fly to Guadalajara with the US Youth National Team for a week, said the match should help work towards the Bruins.  “It’s a confidence boost,” he said. “We get more and more confident every time we play.”

Poly now sits at 2-0 and will await the first match with Wilson, while the Lancers fall to 1-1 and will visit Cabrillo on the 13th.

Wilson def. Jordan, 25-6, 25-19, 25-13

The Bruins improved to 2-0 with an east match against Jordan on the road.  Playing in just two of three sets, Brandon Fuimaono notched 9 kills, a block, and 2 aces; Luke Pope had 6 kills and 2 aces; Cory Leckie had 13 assists, 7 kills and 6 aces; and Spencer Nelson had 9 assists, 3 kills and 2 aces.  Jordan falls to 0-2 with the defeat.  They’ll face Millikan on Tuesday April 13 after the break.  Wilson will host Poly that same day with enormous first-place ramifications (both teams are 2-0).