Coed v-ball falls

MAY 8, NELSON H. KOBREN MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM—

The coed volleyball team ended its season with an impressive 10-2 record, but the Blazers' success did not extend to the playoffs as they lost, 11-15, 15-6, 15-17, to the Wootton High School Patriots in the first round.

Consistent play all season long by junior Amanda Hsiung and seniors Andrew Lee and Phil Repicky helped Blair's record. However, endurance has been a problem all season for Blair and this quick exhaustion was never more evident than against Wootton.

The game was very well played by both teams throughout much of the match, but Wootton's persistence led the Patriots to victory, as they came back from a six-point deficit in the first set and a 14-10 deficit in the third set.

Senior Andrew Lee consistently played well at the net, with three kills in a row in the third set to put the Blazers ahead, 14-10.

Junior Amanda Hsiung's intense saves and sets kept the Blazers alive when they were trailing in the last set, but they fell apart and let leads slip away. "Everyone became too timid," Hsiung explained.

Coach John Mott was satisfied with his team's play during the regular season, but was disappointed by Blair's quick exit from of the playoffs. "We had a much better season than what we showed today," Mott said. "But I'm still very proud of them."

Blair will miss a lot of senior leadership next year, with only one standout boy from this year's team returning: junior Jason Gordon. However, Hsiung's leadership should combine with a promising, talented new crop of players to bring Blair another successful season next spring and hopefully plunge the Blazers deeper than ever into the playoffs.