Story by Clementine Evans
Staff Writer
Photos by Rachel (Shin-Hye) Choi
Staff Photographer
The South Pasadena boys’ volleyball team triumphed over the Monrovia High School Wildcats at home on Wednesday, Apr. 19 on Senior Night. The Tigers beat the Wildcats in three sets in their final game of the regular season.
Senior libero Nathan Chiu started the game with a serve to win the first point of the game for SPHS aided by a kill from senior outside hitter Declan Swift. Chiu was a vital asset to the Tigers, digging the Wildcats tips and receiving hits from Monrovia hitters. Even with tough hits from the Wildcats, the Tigers were able to launch attacks at Monrovia. Senior setter Aaron Quan setup kills for Swift and fellow senior outside hitter Aidan Hilger. After a back-and-forth battle of hits and digs, the Tigers won the first set by a final score of 26-24.
The second set started with an ace serve from Monrovia. Swift and Hilger continued their brutal kills through the second set. Senior opposite hitter Nick Chabot went on a streak of aces, weakening the Wildcats. Monrovia tried to gain some ground by tipping the ball but Chiu was too quick. Senior middle blockers Kenny McGregor and Andrew Carney had massive blocks during the set without letting Monrovia get hits past them. The second set closed out with SPHS in the lead by a final score of 25-16.
The Tigers started the third set with Chiu serving once again. Quan along with sophomore middle blocker James Dowd had several slide kills that knocked Monrovia off their feet. Hilger continued his streak of brutal attacks that weakened the Wildcats’ defense. Senior defensive specialist Richard Conti served an ace in the third and final set, extending the Tigers’ lead. With Monrovia down, Chiu ended the game with a topspin serve that knocked the Wildcats’ out of the game. The third and final set ended with a final score of 25-21, South Pas sweeping Monrovia in three sets..
“I think [the team] played really well today,” Head coach Ivy Chew said. “They…started out kind of slow but other than that, I feel like they did pretty well. They definitely put out a lot of energy towards the end [of the game].”
The night started with an honoring and introducing the 10 seniors on the team. Those seniors were walked down the court by friends and family and were given gift baskets from Coach Chew. Senior night concluded with the Seniors Last Hit, where each senior hit one ball each.
The Tigers have their first CIF game on Thursday, Apr. 27 against the John F. Kennedy High School Fighting Irish.
