Crean Lutheran’s boys volleyball team let a lead in the first set get away and was unable to recover, losing to Bishop Montgomery in three sets in the semifinals of the CIF Division 3 playoffs last week at Crean Lutheran.
The scores in the match of Wednesday, May 17, were 26-24, 25-16, 25-18.
Tanner Petchul led Crean Lutheran (20-12) with eight kills, Nate Tjepkema had seven kills and Robrert Briones six kills to lead the Saints.
Crean Lutheran (20-12) had an 18-12 lead in the first set before Bishop Montgomery (19-9) rallied behind 6-foot-4 Daniel Matheney and eventually won the first set.
Crean Lutheran was trying to reach the CIF finals for the second year in a row. Last year, the Saints lost to Saddleback Valley Christian in four games in their first appearance in the finals.
“It was a great season; we improved all year long,” said Crean Coach Eric Olson. “After losing some key players last year and having a great year and getting to the finals (last season), I think the sentiment on our team was, ‘what are we going to do.’
“We came out this February after the winter sports ended and got it together. I really admire these boys; I love them a lot.”
Olson realized the first set was the key to the match.
“We made a couple of uncharacteristic errors that let them back into that game,” he said. “But I got to tip my hat to Bishop Montogmery. They played two and half solid games after the first part of that (first) game. They played very well. I know they have a couple of outstanding players over there but everybody else on the court when their number was called and they had to make a play, they made a play.
“We’re just happy about our season; winning two league titles in a row and coming into a higher division and getting to the semis. It’s definitely not the result we wanted, but we’re still keeping our heads high. I praise God for the relationships I made this year with these boys. I coached boys volleyball since I was 18 years old and I haven’t had a team that I’ve liked this much. They are really good kids and they treat each other well and it was a very fun season because of that.”
Crean Lutheran advanced to the semifinals by defeating Paraclete in the quarterfinals on Saturday, May 13. The scores were 25-16, 25-16, 25-20.
Petchul had 18 assists and 16 kills to lead the Saints. Tjepkema had 14 kills and Briones had six kills and three blocks.