There was skin on the wood in the first set, and sweat and tears by the finish, as the Wilson Bruins swept the Bosco Braves in an emotional CIF Quarterfinal match, 25-19, 25-15, 25-21. It was impossible not to be impressed with Wilson’s proficiency and intensity, and with Bosco’s heart—the Braves recently suffered the death of classmate and friend to many players, Patrick Romey, a Bosco senior who was killed with his parents a few weeks ago in a car accident.
Since entering the playoffs, Bosco had been playing on an emotional tidal wave—they came in as an at-large entry, and knocked off Sunset League champ Newport Harbor in the first round, and a stacked San Clemente team in round two. That brought them to Wilson, a team also known for an intense style of play. “They took out some fabulous teams,” said Bruins coach Susan Pescar. “We were worried they’d take us out too.”
The Braves didn’t, but you can’t say they didn’t try—the first set of Thursday evening’s quarterfinal match was as intense a set of volleyball as we’ve seen all year. Both teams were fully willing to sacrifice their bodies on the floor, and the squeal of skin on hardwood was cacophonous, drowned out only by the thunderous roar of the Bosco fans.
Wilson’s high-flying power, coupled with the on-floor dedication of libero Brandon Fuimaono, let them break a 3-3 tie with an 8-0 run, which they rode to the first set victory. Players on both sides were drenched in sweat at the first intermission.
The second set was closer, with both teams making occasional errors early, as they struggled to reign themselves in a little—it came to an 11-11 tie, when the Braves almost visibly ran out of steam. The strain of playing with full-throttle emotion is too much for most professional teams to sustain for an entire postseason, so there’s no shame for the Braves, and certainly the strength of Wilson’s Louie Frost and Mike Wilder had something to do with it. Still, with the Bruins posting a 12-2 run that included three aces, and closing the set on a Jake MacRae block of a previously unblockable Braves attack, it was obvious that the Bruins had won the day.
The third set was a formality, as Wilson stayed ahead, their focus slipping enough to inject a little drama into the final moments as Bosco closed to 22-21 before Wilson finished them. Wilson’s Mike Wilder, who led the way with 18 kills, 3 aces, and 12 digs, wasn’t surprised by his team’s ability to match Bosco’s energy. “We’ve played with intensity all year,” he said. “We just had to get it up a little more for this one.”
Pescar was pleased with her team. “We’ve struggled to keep that level up,” she admitted. “So we just had to play as if we weren’t winning. I don’t think anyone expected to sweep Bosco tonight, though—and give them a lot of credit. They’ve been through the emotional wringer, and they should be very proud.” Other leaders for Wilson were the superb Fuimaono, with 23 digs, MacRae with 8 kills, 3 blocks, and 6 digs, Jack Brizendine with 7 kills, and Aniefre Etim-Thomas with 6 kills and 4 blocks.
Wilson will have to wait till Friday night’s match between Loyola and Orange Lutheran to find out which sturdy opponent will await them in the semifinals (if it’s Loyola, Wilson will host and if the Lancers win, then O. Lu will have the advantage). After the rollercoaster that was Thursday, no doubt Wilson will look forward to seeing a less energized—if more talented—volleyball team.