MESA,Ariz. – Starting with a statement is what the Benedictine Redhawks did in their opening match of conference play on their home court at Ben U PEC against cross-state rival Park University Buccaneers.
Not only with just a win, but a decisive 3-0 clean sweep for the second time this season. This marks the second year in a row for coach Degrasse to start conference play with a win let alone a sweep.
"I think it's just pieces coming together," Degrasse said. " We've struggled a little bit in the beginning of the year… we have spent the last two weeks practicing really hard trying to fine tune some of those skills we need to implement into our offense and clearly tonight it showed."
Making a stance in the front zone for the Redhawks became very evident throughout the game with three of their top leaders in points coming from kills and blocks in front of the net.
The first set of the match was back and forth until about a score of 9-13 in which Benedictine never let it get within less than five winning 25-18. This came from a combination of errors from the Buccaneers and kills from the Redhawks helped them retain the lead.
Complete chemistry flowing in the second set was on full display for the Redhawks as this was their most dominant set keeping a steady lead winning with a score of 25-13. Ben U had more than double the amount of kills outscoring their opponent 11-4 as well as six blocks to add on to it.
In the third set the Buccaneers kept most of the set within three points until the score was 21-18, in which the Redhawks scored four unanswered points to win with a score of 25-18. Each team had double digit kills but it was the errors for Park that was the tell of the tale in the third with 12 doubling the amount of errors by the Redhawks.
The middle blockers were the catalyst for Benedictine stifling the Buccaneers on both fronts. Freshman Joseph Washington put his skills on display with 9 kills, 8 blocks, and 12.5 points. Junior Raphael Mkpegue had quite the impact also tied for first in kills with 9 and four blocks with 12 points. Freshman utility player Ethan Russel led the team scoring 15 points, 9 kills, 6 digs, and 6 blocks.
"We stayed together … we stayed composed," Degrasse said. "Definitely the defensive effort on our side of the net was a lot better than it was in previous performances so I am looking forward to building off that as well."
Not only in the front zone but also in the free zone is where junior opposite hitter John Jakaitis carried the Redhawks in assists with 29 making it the sixth game of the season with 20 or more.
"All around we are a pretty equal team," Washington said. "We have multiple guys that can play multiple positions and we are all strong together"
Every player on the team played in unison with each other well and the energy not only on the court but off the bench really kept the momentum going. Ben U did a stellar job displaying it through communication with each other throughout the game.
"Its just like a brotherhood," Washington said. "We spend time together off the court and it just allows us to communicate well and we can flow together really well."
The Redhawks fly high after this game adding a win to the books moving them to (2-6) on the season as the Buccaneers drop this one going to (3-6). Benedictine goes on the road to take on their rival the La Sierra Golden Eagles (1-3) on Friday at 4 p.m. (MST).
