After a season filled with success, the Scouts (24-7) took on the Grant Bulldogs (9-26) in the Regional Semifinals at Warren Township High School. Hitting their peak at the end of the year, Coach Steven Wolf has done an exceptional job coaching this year’s squad. Emphasizing the importance of every playoff game, the Scouts most certainly didn’t want their season to end last night.
“Energy is key, and coach repeated that to us over and over before the game,” said Kyle Waggoner. “Once we get going as a team and our bench gets excited, I believe that there is no one that can beat us.” Facing off against a young Grant team, the Scouts used their experience to maintain their composure and play one point at a time. Colin King stepped up and had 4 kills, forcing Grant to focus on other hitters besides All-Conference hitters Kevin Lamp and Joe Chamberlain. This flustered Grant’s gameplan and ultimately led to a first game W, 25-18. Sophomore Calvin McCarthy got pulled up for the postseason and did a great job of protecting the back row alongside Jake Danneker. Grant began to chip away at Lake Forest in the second game after a number of silly mistakes by the Scouts. This didn’t phase the Scouts, though, since their confidence and energy levels were held high. The nail in the coffin came when Grant passed to junior Derek Kolb for a powering slam that was immediately rejected by middle Kyle Waggoner. The bench roared and the boys won the second game 25-20.
For their biggest game of the season yet, the boys volleyball team will play the Warren Blue Devils in the Regional Championship tonight at Warren Almond Campus at 6:00. The Scouts are 1-1 against them this season and have split sets 3-3, a storyline that will make for an intense battle.