In the Moore League this season, the only team capable of beating the Wilson Bruins in a boys’ volleyball match is themselves—through eight matches coming into Tuesday’s throwdown with Lakewood, they still hadn’t lost a set.  Against the Lancers, they came close a few times, but when they decided to turn it on, the shift was almost atmospheric, as the Bruins looked very impressive in a 25-20, 25-16, 25-21 win.  Wilson now improves to 9-0 in league, 24-6 overall, and they’re ranked fourth in CIF and 11^th in the country.  Lakewood falls to 5-3 and currently sits in third place behind Poly, who they’ll play a reschedule match against at home this Thursday at 5:30pm.

But regarding that Wilson “on” switch—In the first set, it was back and forth, with the teams tying at 18.  Half of Lakewood’s points to that point came off Bruin errors.  Then Wilson turned it on, and closed on an 8-2 run.  Lakewood got more points off their own work in the second, as their middle block stepped up and forced Wilson to hit around them—that carried them to a 15-15 tie.  Then Wilson turned it on, and closed on a 10-1 run, the last two points coming off two nasty aces by Mike Wilder.  In the third set, Wilson made plenty of errors (including two foot-faults on serves), which resulted in a 14-14 tie, before the Bruins turned it on (halfway) and closed 12-8.

Lakewood coach Jeremy Moanoa was a little frustrated with his team’s performance, while accepting Wilson’s ability to ramp up.  “We’re not going to come in and dominate a team like that,” he said.  “But I’m frustrated because I want the world for [my team], and we had opportunities, but didn’t sieze them.”

Wilson coach Susan Pescar would like to see more even play from her team.  “Really great teams play at their top level no matter what,” she said.  “Right now it’s, ‘They challenge, then we go on a run.’”  Top performers from the Bruins were Mike Wilder, with 9 kills, 2 blocks, and 4 aces, Aniefre Ekim-Thomas with 7 kills and 3 blocks, and Brandon Fuimaono with 11 digs.