From Staff Reports Flintridge Prep has all but owned the Prep League boys volleyball title for the last five seasons. Heading into Wednesday’s Prep League showdown at Poly, the Rebels had won 37 of their last 38 matches (in league). Poly star Matt Alison has seen far too much of it. In his four-year career, […]
From Staff Reports
Flintridge Prep has all but owned the Prep League boys volleyball title for the last five seasons.
Heading into Wednesday’s Prep League showdown at Poly, the Rebels had won 37 of their last 38 matches (in league).
Poly star Matt Alison has seen far too much of it.
In his four-year career, Poly was 0-9 in matches against Prep, including a tournament setback.
But the tenth time was the charm for Alison and the Panthers.
Poly defeated Prep, 21-25, 25-15, 25-17 and 27-25 for what many consider a huge upset.
Alison led the Panthers with 13 kills and 2 aces.
Richard Berry added 12 kills and 8 blocks.
Will McConnell had 35 assists and JT Tsuchiya had 6 digs.
Poly improved to 9-9 overall and 4-2 in Prep League matches.
At one point in the season, they were 0-2 and in the Prep League basement.
For Prep (16-4 overall, 6-1 in league), AJ Nicassio and Jonny Samuels each had 13 kills apiece.
Majeed Ismail had 8 kills and 5 blocks, and Leo Reilly added 25 digs for the Rebels.
Quotable:
Poly coach Jack Prater: “It’s impressive how dominant Prep has been in the Prep league these last few years. But no matter our record, we always felt we could play with them. Even in this match, Prep had two set points in the last set that could have changed the outcome. So whenever we play them, it’s a great match and this was no different.
I’m just really proud of our squad. The seniors on the team had a remarkable senior game. Matt Alison and Will McConnell showed real leadership keeping the team focused when Prep went on their runs. Richard Berry had an outstanding game. When we needed a big play to swing the momentum our way, he provided that key block or kill to give us the advantage.”
Poly senior Matt Alison: “I was 0 for 9 against Flintridge Prep in my career and to be able to beat them in my last chance as a senior is probably the best sporting moment of my life. Even though we are rivals and we always want to beat them, we respect their success, and that’s what makes this victory so special. We are playing our best volleyball of the season and it’s happening at the right time. We’re really coming together as a team.”
Flintridge Prep coach Sean Beattie: “Rough loss for us. We didn’t play our best and Poly was playing really well. No excuse, they just came out and played better than us. Now we need to beat Firebaugh next Tuesday to win league outright.
It can definitely be turned around. We just need to play a little smarter and learn to not get frustrated over little things. There are a lot of points in a volleyball match, and we can’t let a few points get us rattled.’
Flintridge Prep senior Jonny Samuels: “It was a tough loss. We fought hard, but in the end, they were the better team today. We still have the Crescenta Valley Tournament this weekend and our last league game next week, so it’s up to us to play well, win some games, and gain some momentum going into the playoffs.”
