Jaguars roar back, upset Griffins 2-1
The boys varsity volleyball race suddenly got a lot more interesting when the Jaguars came back from a decisive loss in the first set to win the match Tuesday in International's gym, two sets to one.
The outcome brought Co-operative into a tie for second-place, and gave the league lead to Christian Learning, whose game against Cambridge was postponed. (See related story below.) International had been at the top of the standings since the first week of the season, and had won the previous encounter between the two teams, though the match was a close one.
In the first set International seemed to be giving Co-operative a clinic in how to play the game, prevailing in the long rallies, and capitalizing on Co-operative's numerous unforced errors. International won by the comfortable margin of 25-11.
However, it almost seemed as if a new Jaguar team took to the court for the second game. Now it was they they seemed to be taking advantage of sloppy play on the part of the suddenly deflated Griffins, and outlasting the Griffins in long rallies. Co-operative got out to an 11 to 4 lead, and although the Griffins were able to get back within two points at 16-14, the Jaguars toughed it out and won the second game 25-20.
The third set was almost an anti-climax, with Co-operative winning 15-8 in remarkably short order.
"We were very disorganized in the first set," Jaguar coach Jesus Flores said after the game. "After that we got organized. We became more assured."
He cited the strong play of seniors Cristobal Roda and Esteban Gomez as keys to the Jaguar victory. Roda played the key role of big man-at-the-net in the Jaguars' resurgence. Gomez showed his versatility in the role of rover, allowed to move to any position on the court.
This story was written from reports by Maria Claudia Bernal of International School and coaches.
The boys varsity volleyball race suddenly got a lot more interesting when the Jaguars came back from a decisive loss in the first set to win the match Tuesday in International's gym, two sets to one.
The outcome brought Co-operative into a tie for second-place, and gave the league lead to Christian Learning, whose game against Cambridge was postponed. (See related story below.) International had been at the top of the standings since the first week of the season, and had won the previous encounter between the two teams, though the match was a close one.
In the first set International seemed to be giving Co-operative a clinic in how to play the game, prevailing in the long rallies, and capitalizing on Co-operative's numerous unforced errors. International won by the comfortable margin of 25-11.
However, it almost seemed as if a new Jaguar team took to the court for the second game. Now it was they they seemed to be taking advantage of sloppy play on the part of the suddenly deflated Griffins, and outlasting the Griffins in long rallies. Co-operative got out to an 11 to 4 lead, and although the Griffins were able to get back within two points at 16-14, the Jaguars toughed it out and won the second game 25-20.
The third set was almost an anti-climax, with Co-operative winning 15-8 in remarkably short order.
"We were very disorganized in the first set," Jaguar coach Jesus Flores said after the game. "After that we got organized. We became more assured."
He cited the strong play of seniors Cristobal Roda and Esteban Gomez as keys to the Jaguar victory. Roda played the key role of big man-at-the-net in the Jaguars' resurgence. Gomez showed his versatility in the role of rover, allowed to move to any position on the court.
This story was written from reports by Maria Claudia Bernal of International School and coaches.
PHOTO: Jaguar blocks attempted kill by Griffin Pablo Muñoz (12)
Jonatan Muñoz, International School
