gavin riley
Council Rock North had that moment last year. However, on May 16, 2023, after sneaking into the District 1 Class 3A boys volleyball playoffs as the No. 12 seed, the Indians lost in the first round to No. 5 seed Upper Dublin, winning the tournament.
As the top seed in this year's opener, things played out a little differently for North Tuesday night. Led by the big-hitting trio of Hunter Klein, Keertan Palayam and Scott Donnelly, the No. 7 Indians defeated No. 10 Central Bucks East 3-1.
“It's very exciting,” Donnelly said. “The whole team is motivated.”
It was by no means an easy victory. A tough opponent and a shockingly loud “Let's Go East” chant echoing off the walls of North's gymnasium, easily discernible from the cheers on the Indians' side.
CR North took the first set pretty easily. However, the Patriots won 25-14 and then went on to win 26-24 on their own. The Indians then won the next set 25-22.
The above trio is a big reason why the Indians will advance to the next round. When the ball heads in either direction, whether it hits the ground or a blocker, you can expect to hear thunder immediately afterwards. Simply put, hit the ball with force. The team knows that. they are preparing for it. But they are still very difficult to stop.
“It draws blockers,” Donnelly said of the three who share the court. “It's easier to hit when all three are out. The blockers are all aware of us, so it's harder for them to get close.”
Donnelly's 6-foot-4-inch height and extremely long arms were on display throughout the match. Not only did he spike kills on the hardwood when attacking, he blocked his opponent's attempts as well. From the stands, it looked like his arm was bent over the net.
“Most of my blocks come from swinging blocks,” Donnelly said. “If they don't make a good pass, they have to set it high…I go up higher on a swing block than a regular block, so it's easier for me.”
Head coach Larry Tienke had a lead in this matchup. Volleyball is “like chess,” he says. He is constantly moving the players, the chess pieces. He quickly makes adjustments as opposing defenses begin to pick up on the Indians' offensive tendencies and the Indians' offensive advantage emerges. And that doesn't always mean setting the ball up for your most powerful hitter and spiking it down your team's throat.
“What we have to do is pick apart their defense,” Tienke said. “We're trying to get everyone out.”
Suffice it to say that what Tiankee was referring to would have been obvious if explained. Often the setter hits the ball immediately over the net on his second stroke, but the ball just falls between the defenders.
CR North is scheduled to play second-seeded Pennridge this Thursday. The Indians have their hands full, but Tienke and his players are confident.
“We're going to prepare. We have a whole day of practice,” Tienke said. “Their players, our players…we're going to match up. It's going to be about who really wants it and who's putting in the effort.”
“I think we can go far,” Donnelly added.
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