Boys Volleyball Falls to Lincoln in States

JERSEY CITY–In the first round of the state tournament on Wednesday afternoon, the No. 9 Summit boys volleyball team fell to No. 8 Lincoln High School in a close, three-game match (25-20, 22-25, 21-25).

"We won that first game and maybe got a little overconfident," Summit head coach John Ross said. "Lincoln is a great team–very athletic and well-coached."

Although the game took place in Lincoln's home gymnasium, the Hilltoppers came out strong and captured the first game of the match. As the team's setter, senior Joe Callahan was instrumental to Summit's early success. Callahan made numerous assists in the opening minutes of the first game to junior Cris Cafiero and senior Garrett Benisch. Lincoln's Ikeem Boatwright kept his team in the game early and tied the score 4-4 with a powerful kill.

Summit went on to win the next five points off of quality serving by senior Roman Delgado and kills by senior Sam Densen. Once Summit gained a 9-4 advantage, the team was able to hold off the Lions for the remainder of the first game. Two aces by Densen, numerous sets by Callahan, and multiple kills by Cafiero and senior John Lim helped the Hilltoppers win the first game, 25-20.

Callahan opened the second game with his trademark dipping serve to earn an ace. Kills by Cafiero, Benisch, Densen, and Erik Von Haas helped the Hilltoppers keep the score close early in the game, at one point trailing the Lions 8-6. But similar to the first game when Summit went on a 5-0 run, Lincoln won the next five points in the second game to extend their lead to 13-6.

Throughout the three-game match, the pace was fast, the points were long, and the pressure was intense.

"When you get to the states, the points get longer and you play teams that have a really good defense," Ross said. "Sometimes you don't expect the ball to come back, but it does."

Over the next few minutes of play, Summit's Benisch and Lincoln's Jamal McDaniel traded kills. Two more Callahan-to-Cafiero combinations helped the Hilltoppers chip away at Lincoln's lead, now 22-18. Minutes later, a terrific play that included digs by both Luke Shehata and Callahan resulted in another Benisch kill, cutting the Lions' lead to 24-22. On the following point, however, Summit hit a shot wide to end the second game with a score of 25-22, Lincoln.

In the third and final game, it was important for the Hilltoppers to steal some momentum from their opponent and obtain an early lead, particularly since a 5-0 run had been the determining factor in each of the two previous games.

Callahan and Benisch continued to team up for the Hilltoppers in the third game, and Densen's strong presence at the net cut Lincoln's early lead to 5-4. The Lions then went on a 7-0 run, however, to obtain a 12-4 lead over Summit. Another Densen kill halted Lincoln's scoring spree, and for the next few minutes, the Hilltoppers attempted a miracle comeback.

To their credit, Summit fought hard and nearly made such a comeback. Lim made three terrific blocks to earn points for his team. Callahan and Christian Flores served well, and Benisch continued to dominate the net. Over the next several minutes of play, Summit outscored the Lions 16-8 to eventually tie the game at 20-20. Summit fans were literally on the edge of their seats after such an inspiring performance.

On the following point, Lincoln's Randy Henry made a powerful kill to give his team a 21-20 lead. The Lions never looked back, regaining the momentum they needed in the final minute of play to win the third game, 25-21.

"I'm so proud of these guys," Ross said. "I think we played really well today. We worked hard and never gave up, and that's what I've loved about this team all season. We were a couple points away from playing the No. 1 team in the state, St. Peter's Prep, but I know Lincoln will go out there and play well."

The state tournament loss ends the Hilltoppers' 2010 season with a final record of 13-2.