Boys Volleyball: Hawks Soar Past Thunderbolts

The Hendricken Hawks (6-0) traveled to Cranston East (1-4) on Wednesday night for a boys volleyball match. The Hawks rallied after losing the first game, to win three consecutive games, winning the match 3-1.

In the first game, the Thunderbolts jumped out to a 10-5 lead. After Hendricken scored seven straight points, they snatched the lead at 15-12.

The Hawks led 17-15, but East used a 7-1 run to surge ahead 22-18. They ended up winning the first game 25-20. 

Throughout the night there were three points that easily could have gone to Hendricken, and the Hawks thought they would pick up the point, but East's hustle and determination got them the unlikely points.

"They are a very scrappy team and bring a lot of energy," Chris Parillo, Hawks assistant coach said.

After taking the first two points of the second game, East trailed for the rest of the game. However, they hung tough and the lead never reached more than five points during the game. Hendricken took the game 25-21, evening the match at one game apiece.

The Hawks dominated the third game, as they led by double digits for the majority of it. Hendricken scored 11 out of 13 points, after East held a 1-0  lead, taking a commanding 11-3 lead. A kill by John Kane ended the game, with the Hawks winning it 25-11.

In the match's deciding game, the Thunderbolts gave Hendricken all they could handle and made them sweat it out. After trailing 5-1, East went on a 7-1 run, to take a 8-6 lead.  From that point on, the biggest lead of the third game was only two points, as both teams were battling it out.

The final game was tied at 14, 15, 16, 18, 21, 24, 25, and 26. Rilwan Ilumoka ended the night for the Hawks with a match winning kill, as they won the final game 28-26.

Senior Billy Chen led the Thunderbolts with 11 kills, 15 digs, and 14 assists. Junior Kegan Moody chipped in 10 kills and 8 blocks, and Sovattanna Eang had 13 digs and 12 assists.

Two captains led the way for the Hawks, as Ted Seufert had 10 kills and two blocks, and Sebastian Noordzy led the team with 14 kills.

"We are trying to get to that elite status," Parrillo said, "We can be a special team but we are not there yet."

Thomas Ferri, Bolts head coach, was happy with tonight's match. "I am very pleased with the play tonight," he said, "The intensity level was up and the back row played really well."