Sports
Loma Linda Academy Boys Volleyball is Hindered by Injuries
The squad lose their first round match to Poly Pasadena on Tuesday.
Decimated by injuries, the Loma Linda Academy Boys Volleyball team lost their first round match to Poly Pasadena 25-19, 25-14 and 25-23 on Tuesday.
Coach Jon Frederico needed to use every player on the team, including reserve squad freshman John Sumilat, in an attempt to fill in the gaps. Senior defensive specialist Kyle Basical was unable to make the trip leaving one hole in the service rotations. Sophomore Cam Peterson, a starting outside hitter, needed to sit out the game due to back spasms.
Midway through the first game, Junior middle blocker Chris Lawrence landed awkwardly on his left leg. Although he gamely waved off the coaches, hobbled back to his position and attempted to continue, the referee stopped play. Trainers suspected a torn ACL and Lawrence was on his way to the Emergency Room following the game.
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That sidelined 3 of the 9 regular players, including the team's leading blocker and second leading attacker. For the rest of the first game and throughout the second game, LLA's rotations were in shambles to the extent that Coach Frederico needed to spend 5 minutes during the second game devising a credible rotation for the final game of the match.
Poly had the best serving that LLA has faced all season. Overall, considering the gaps in the line up, the LLA defensive specialists including senior Ben Mondol, junior Michael Aka and sophomore libero Ty Haase along with senior Tim Giang, handled as well as could be expected.
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Without Lawrence, the hitting and blocking assignments had to all be adjusted, but senior middle blocker Jonathan Lee, junior Junior Dien and sophomores Evan Basical and Phil Nichols made a nice effort.
Senior Tim Giang continued to play his expected all-around game finishing with his season average 4 kills per game. Senior setter Matt Loh also played his usual steady game mixing the sets and getting several kills on unexpected attacks. This represents the fifth season in a row that LLA has made it to the CIF Southern Sections playoffs.
