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NANTICOKE — Jack Kablick was concerned about that big-match experience. You know, those where the eyes of the entire league are squarely focused in.
Apparently, that pressure didn’t bother Chris Mennig too much.
In an early-season test that was live on local television, the Holy Redeemer senior attacker stepped behind the service line and responded. He led an 8-0 run to break open a 15-14 third set as the Royals swept Greater Nanticoke Area, 3-0, Thursday night in Wyoming Valley Conference play.
Set scores were 25-12, 25-21 and 25-15.
The Royals improve to 2-0, while last night was the season opener for the Trojans.
Remember, this was a Redeemer squad that reached the state semifinals in 2015, losing to eventual champion Northeastern.
Gone are multiple-year starters Mike Conlon, Michael Gatusky and Alex Kotch.
In a way, it’s kind of a new team trying to forge its own identity.
“We are just starting to get healthy,” said Kablick, the Holy Redeemer coach. “The back row we had today probably won’t be the back row you will see in two weeks. We lost 27 rotations out of 36. That’s a lot to replace. We will get there. I just love our power and our height. It’s intimidating at times.”
Intimidating may be an understatement.
The Royals’ front line – Mennig, John Carr, Ben Rachilla and Rob Zbierski – accounted for 13 blocks, and that’s not counting how many other swings they affected.
The ultra power? That came off the arm of Zbierski.
Finishing with a match-high 12 kills, the senior 6-foot-6 hitter certainly didn’t get cheated on any swing. Almost after every hit, the ohs and ahs echoed throughout the gymnasium after the ball exploded off his hand.
“It was good to play well in the third set after a real close one in the second,” Zbierski said. “It was nice to just fight back. A game like this helps. These are the matches that help prepare you for districts.”
No doubt, he was a difference-maker.
Zbierski had back-to-back kills late in the second set to spark a mini, 4-2 run to close out the stanza; one where Nanticoke kept within striking distance throughout. It wasn’t until a cross-court spike by Carr sealed the 25-21 victory.
GNA had to work through the kinks of a season-opener in the first set as a total of 10 service and attack errors led to a dominating start for Redeemer, 25-12.
“Our passing and serving really got better in the final two sets,” Nanticoke head coach Debbie Gavin said. “They are tall, and they have some really nice blocking. But we were able to get some over them or through them in the second and third sets. I was happy to play Redeemer first because I think it motivated our team. We had a lot of new guys out there. I think we will be fine as the season goes forward.”
Gavin’s group stood toe-to-toe in the third, taking a 7-4 lead early – thanks to two big kills from Brent Piontkowski.
Enter Mennig.
He drilled a nice set from Nick James down the left line to give the Royals their first lead of the third before ripping off eight consecutive points behind the service line.
“I am working on a new serve because I kind of got rid of my jump-serve,” Mennig said. “It’s still a work in progress. It hasn’t been going great yet, but it was nice to come up with some positives in that third set. It was nice to string a few points together. It’s good for the confidence.”
Carr finished with 10 kills, the second straight match he reached double digits in that category, while Rachilla and Mennig combined for seven spikes. Setter James added 25 assists in the victory.
For Nanticoke, Piontkowski finished with nine kills, while Eddie Lukowski chipped in with 15 assists.
“This was big for us. It’s nice to play one of the better teams in the district so you can kind of see where you are at,” Mennig said. “We still have to work on the chemistry. I think we’ll continue to improve throughout the season.”
Crestwood 3, Hazleton Area 1
The Cougars won the first game, 25-20, but the Comets won the last three 25-9, 25-18, 25-19.
For Crestwood, Michael Williams piled up 19 assists, 11 points and six aces, and Mendell Foreman netted 13 kills, six points and eight blocks.
Also for the Comets, Jeremy Jones had 11 points, 11 digs and Kyle Sanders added eight kills, five blocks and five service points.
Dante D’Amato tallied five kills, four aces and six digs for Hazleton Area, while Jake Saches contributed 11 kills and five digs, and Tomas Dovidak netted 26 assists and seven digs.
Holy Redeemer 3, Nanticoke Area 0
HR `25`25`25 – 3
NA `12`21`15 – 0
Holy Redeemer Leaders: Rob Zbierski 12 kills; John Carr 10 kills; Nick James 25 assists; Chris Mennig 4 kills, 3 blocks.
Nanticoke Leaders: Brent Piontkowski 9 kills; Eddie Lukowski 3 kills, 15 assists, 1 ace; Justin Casey 2 kills, 3 blocks.
