Good rebound
JACKSONTWP — The Seneca Valley boys volleyball team was a little out of sync in its first set against Butler on Tuesday.
Raiders coach Jeff Beavers said the players believed it was the absence of their warm-up music.
Beavers, however, saw things a bit differently.
"We rotated the lineup," said Beavers. "We put our best versus their best and took it from there."
After losing the first set, Seneca Valley recovered nicely and went on to take the 22-25, 25-14, 25-17, 25-10 Section 2 victory.
"With rally scoring, the key is to play your game. Don't panic," said Beavers. "Don't get too high at the high points and don't get too low at the low points."
In the opening set, Butler broke a 9-all tie by scoring the next four points. The Tornado built a 21-15 lead before the Raiders (6-1, 4-1) scored six of the next seven points to pull to within one at 22-21.
The Tornado (4-4, 2-3) held off the rally and scored three of the next four points to take the set.
The Raiders jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the second set, only to see the Tornado tie the score at 6-all. Seneca Valley, however, scored the next four points.
Leading 11-9, Seneca Valley used another run, this time a six-point spurt behind the serving of Nick Andreone, to take a 17-9 lead. Butler got no closer than seven points the rest of the game.
In the pivotal third game, the teams were tied at 11 before Seneca Valley scored nine of the next 11 points to take a 20-13 lead.
Adam Beebe had two key blocks and also was serving when the Raiders closed that run by scoring the final five points.
Any chance Butler had of getting back into the fourth game evaporated when the Raiders quickly scored the first eight points and went on to close out the match.
"I told the kids, 'Let's get this done early. Get it quick. Get them down early and keep them down.'" said Beavers.
"(The Tornado) were frustrated. This is a team with not as much as experience as last year," said Butler coach Lew Liparulo. "These kids have been in tough situations, but they keep working hard. Sometimes you'll have nights like this."
Seneca Valley received 12 kills and five blocks from Adam Beebe, five blocks from Justin Hoffman and 28 assists from Dan Beebe. Butler was led by Devin Koehring's 14 kills and a strong game from Cody Clark in digs.
"We have a real good bench," said Beavers. "We have a good team and a very young team. There's a good future for us."
The Butler junior varsity team pulled out a come-from-behind 19-25, 28-27, 15-10 victory.
