Three sets (25-22, 25-15, 25-23) were all the Wellington High School boys varsity volleyball team needed to hold on and defeat Seminole Ridge High School at home Thursday, March 1 in the season opener.
In the first set, the Wolverines opened up with a six-point run, but the Hawks eventually powered back, trailing only by three. Wellington pressed Seminole Ridge midway through, leading 15-6 and forcing the Hawks to call a time out. The Hawks collected themselves and rallied, but still trailed 18-14. The Hawks pulled within one 20-19 late in the set. The Wolverines pushed back and eventually took the opening set 25-22.
Wellington dominated the second set, after a slow start, taking advantage of miscues by the Hawks. The Wolverines went on a five-point run late in the set, and rolled the rest of the way, taking the set 25-15.
Seminole Ridge knew they needed to press in the third set to force a fourth. They locked it up at 4-4 early. The Wolverines maintained composure and dug through to take a 9-7 lead.
The Hawks put together a four-point run to tie the set at 18-18, and continued to pressure Wellington’s defense. The two teams battled back-and-forth at the net. Seminole Ridge looked poised to take the third set, as they jumped to a 22-21 lead, their first in the match.
The Wolverines tied it back at 23-23, and reclaimed the lead when a Hawks miscue occurred at the net. Wellington managed to capitalize on two key miscues at the stretch and rallied to win the third set 25-23, and the match.
Brendan Boudreau and Stephan Papia were instrumental at the front of the net for Wellington. Tyler Anderson and Lucas Santos carried the middle for the Wolverines.
Kyle Huff and Jake Pennypacker were key to the Hawks’ relentless rallies during the first and third sets. Sergio Chaux and Jon Fioramonti also contributed from the middle.
The Hawks were on the road Tuesday at Palm Beach Central, but results were not available at press time. Wellington hosts Forest Hill High School on Tuesday, March 13 at 7 p.m.
