Boys' Latin Wins Conference B Volleyball Championship

By: Jeremy Wolff

Despite it being the day after Halloween and after a long night of trick or treating, Boys’ Latin came ready to play and win a volleyball championship.

The Conference B Championship was up for grabs on Saturday between number one Boys’ Latin and number two St. Paul’s School. As soon as game one started everyone knew they were in for an exciting and entertaining volleyball match.

The bleachers were filled for both teams with students from each school gathering in opposite corners of the gym. Not only was there a battle between the players playing but also the student fan sections were going back and forth taunting and mocking one another. It really gave a spirited and ruthless feel to the game.

Game one was back and forth as both teams were trying to find a rhythm early. After some sloppy play and miscues, it was the Boys’ Latin Lakers that finally gained momentum after big kills from Tommy Bonn and great serving from Scott Parker. The Lakers actually overcame an early deficit and came back to win game one 25-21.

St. Paul’s looked to rebound in game two after a close but quick game one. Star players Sydney McCray and Miles Code both seemed frustrated and in order for their team to have a chance both seniors knew they had to step up there game.

Game two was what made this a special match. It seemed as though Latin was going to run away with a victory. They even went on an 11-3 run at one point holding a commanding lead of 19 -13

However, St. Paul’s did not give up and after a miracle save from senior Brett Donahoo, they began to rally and had a 9- 2 run of there own tying the game at 22-22. McCray began to believe and took the team under his wing and as he succeeded, so did the rest of the team.

Despite the energetic run by the Crusaders, Boys’ Latin continued to play their game, which was consistent the entire time. They fought back and forth in the exhilarating game two which went into extra points. They could have fell back and been intimidated by the outburst from St. Paul’s but instead battled to win game two 30-28.

The Lakers took a commanding two game lead in the best of five series and in game three they got ahead of themselves and St. Paul’s really took it to them with the more commanding, less exciting game of the match. St. Paul’s forced a game four with a 25-17 win.

When game four started it was evident that St. Paul’s School just didn’t have it in them to win three games in a row. Boys’ Latin jumped out to a 6-1 lead and never looked back going on to win the championship 25-22 in game four and three games to one on the series.

Coach Drew Haugh could not have been any more proud of his boys after the win.
“I have been coaching for 23 years at this school,” said Haugh, “and this team had chemistry like no other.”

Even star player Tommy Bonn agreed it was all about the chemistry.

“We are really cohesive, have great chemistry, everyone supports every one else,” said Bonn, “We are a great team.”

After the win, Coach Haugh dumped out a bag of Navy hats that had so much sentimental meaning.

“At the beginning of the year I read the boys an article about the Navy Football team and about their chemistry,” Haugh went on, “ and after every win they get to have their hats, if they lose they wait until their next win in order to get them back.”

The boys all grabbed their hats from off the floor and put it on with dignity and pride as they went on to take the championship photo.

Posted Nov. 3, 2008