Young did not possess the intensity it needed in the first set of its showdown with rival St. Ignatius on Friday. The Dolphins, however, were able to rally behind Tom Wesolowski’s match-high 20 kills and earn a 17-25, 25-15, 25-16 victory over the visiting Wolfpack.
“We didn’t play with enough intensity or want in the first set,’’ Wesolowski said. “Between the first and second set we knew we had to pick it up because we wanted it more.’’
When the Dolphins (2-2) needed a big play it was usually Wesolowski stepping up to deliver it. With his team down 4-2 in the third set, Wesolowski served five consecutive aces to give Young the momentum it needed to pull out the third and decisive game. After allowing the Wolfpack to get within one, the Dolphins went on a 12-6 run sparked by four kills from Wesolowski to build a lead the visitors could not recover from.
“I’ve served five aces in a row during club ball, but never during the high school season,’’ Wesolowski said. “It did seem to get us going a little bit. Those are things that can push a team.’’
The Dolphins jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead in the second set, a total reversal of the opening set, and countered every run St. Ignatius had with one of their own. Wesolowski had five kills in the second set. Young forced St. Ignatius into nine errors in the set.
“Matches like these help us prepare for the Public League, because the suburban teams and even other city teams run different systems than the city schools do,’’ Wesolowski said. “We like playing the better competition because we know that no matter if we win or lose, we’re only getting better.’’
Will Torres added seven blocks for the Dolphins, while Joe Loftus had six kills for St. Ignatius (4-5).
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