Boys Volleyball: Cranston East Earns Win in Tourney

Cranston East had the shortest team with just three players six feet and over and possessed with the second poorest league record (1-5) of any squad coming into the 2011 Rhody Invitational held on Saturday at Bryant University and sponsored by the Rhode Island Boys Volleyball Coaches Association.

But the Thunderbolts, which will still have to work hard to make the RIIL Division I playoffs when play resumes this week, may have benefited the most from the 16-team tourney involving 8 of the top Division teams from Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

For despite a 0-6 record in comepetitive pool play against Mount St. Charles, Lincoln-Sudbury (MA) and Andover (MA), the Thunderbolts learned their lessons well when they faced Andover again in the silver medal round.

Behind, 24-23, Cranston East was just one point from going home in a one-game elimination against Andover. But they rallied to take four of the next six points behind strong play at net by Keegan Moody and Billy Chen and improved passing and all-around team play. An ace by Moody sealed the deal for the Thunderbolts, who advanced on to play in the semifinals.

Their opponent was the much taller (nine players over six feet and two at 6-7) St. John's Prep of Danvers (MA) team, which has made the Division One state finals five of the past 10 years and won three Mass. state titles.

Cranston East lost the first game and surprised their opponents with a second-game win before finally being eliminated.

"Chai Kue, our setter, helped us make a nice run with his jump serve," said head coach Tom Ferri. " Our hitting was good and setting was good, too. We were also playing better at net than we had the rest of the day,"

Also setting the pace was 6-foot senior outside hitter Billy Chen. With his 36-inch or more vertical leap, Chen often drove hits over or through and also blocked or deflected shots by much taller front-row players.  And his explosive jump serves also resulted in several points.

Moody, a 6-3 lefthanded middle hitter, made his presence felt, too, with several  timely hits and blocks.  Setter Sovatanna Hang, outside hitter Jason Lin, libero Viseth Phum and middle blocker Anthony Doti, all came through with decisive hits and plays.

"This was a great experience that should help us in the regular season," Ferri said of his squad.  "I thought we did a little better in this tourney than last year. We're graduated six seniors from last year and most of our players hadn't played together until this year. But we are starting to play well now."

"This week we will face East Providence and Chariho (whom they beat the first time) and we will have to do well against them," he said of his league rivals, all battling for the last playoff positions.

Winning the Gold Team Medal was Chicopee Comp (MA) over Bishop Hendricken while Coventry captured the Silver Team Medal in a win over St. John's Prep.

Download the movie