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It started out looking like Hawks\/Heat, but ended up as ferociously contested as Celtics\/Bulls, as the Poly Jackrabbits (in Bostonian green and gold) battled for sole possession of second place against the host Lakewood Lancers (in Bullish red and black). <\/span>When the sawdust had settled on this crucial match, Poly came away with a 25-13, 15-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-7 victory that guarantees them a first-game home match to start the CIF playoffs.<\/p>\n The Lancers started off looking like it would be a three-and-done concession, as they just couldn’t get the ball over the net in the first set, giving the ‘Rabbits their first and last points on service errors, and only managing to score consecutive points once. <\/span>Then in the second, they got so fired up that it seemed to completely knock Poly off balance, as an early 3-0 run had Lakewood finding their rhythm in every phase of the game. <\/span>After the opening blows had been dealt and absorbed, both teams settled in for a dogfight.<\/p>\n It would be hard to imagine two closer sets than the third and fourth—Poly and Lakewood were tied on 25 of the 50 points in both sets. <\/span>In the third, Lakewood got to 23 first, but Poly’s on-floor defensive ability allowed them to battle back and tally three straight to close the set. <\/span>In the fourth, Poly broke nine of the first eleven ties, but when Lakewood went up 21-20, they never went back down. <\/span>They went back and forth until it was tied 23-23, when the Lancers strung together two great rallies to force the dramatic fifth set.<\/p>\n But it was obvious after the emotional match that the Lancers were wiped—while Poly found one more reserve of strength, opening the fifth 5-2, and steadily widening the lead until they secured the 15-7 win, as players on both sides of the net tried to catch their breath. <\/span>If nothing else, the emotional, hotly-contested game should serve as an excellent preparation for the CIF playoffs (brackets and matchups for both teams will be announced on Monday).<\/p>\n “It shows their character,” said Poly coach Vuthy Cheav. <\/span>“We’ve been up and down this season, and they didn’t want to give up. <\/span>I knew when it went to the fifth set that we wanted it more.”<\/p>\n “That was a fun one,” said Lakewood coach Jeremy Moanoa. <\/span>“These kids have grown up together a lot this year. <\/span>There’s definitely some fighters in there—even if they have to be pushed to fight. <\/span>I developed a lot of respect for these kids tonight.”<\/p>\n Stats weren’t kept for Lakewood, but the leaders for Poly were Patrick Noble with 20 kills and Mony Doeun with 12 kills. <\/span>Come back on Monday to find out who these teams will be playing next in the first round!<\/p>\n \n <\/p>\n