With the match tied after two sets, the Wilson boys’ volleyball team went to a familiar face in Leo Pravednikov.
The Wilson senior and reigning Moore League Player of the Year guided the school to its first ever CIF volleyball title last year.
On Tuesday, Pravednikov took over the match and Poly had no answer for the 6’5” outside hitter as the Bruins opened league play with a four-set victory (25-19, 22-25, 25-13, 25-17) over the Jackrabbits.
Pravednikov had six kills in the third set and helped the Bruins build an early lead in the fourth and final set. He finished with 20 kills.
“He found his swing,” Wilson first-year coach Chris Ceballos said. “He started to tee off.”
The matchup featured two of the top teams in the league who both entered a little fatigued after they both competed in the Redondo Union tournament over the weekend. That tournament featured some of the top teams in the section. Wilson also played at Los Alamitos in a four-set loss on Tuesday.
“They were a little fatigued between the tournament and the Los Alamitos match,” Ceballos said.
Freshman Marek Turner, who could be the next star for the Bruins, had back-to-back kills in the first set as Wilson jumped out to 10-8 and 16-13 leads. The front line of Pravednikov, senior Lucas Halle, and junior Max Cherin executed on offense and defense as the Bruins took the first set, 25-19.
The Bruins had numerous service errors in set two. Jackrabbits senior, and Cal State Northridge signee, Malcolm King had a couple of kills as the Jackrabbits knotted the match at one set a piece, 25-22.
“It’s been an issue,” Ceballos said. “It’s been a part of key losses.”
Ceballos said they had six service errors in a key game against the Griffins on Monday.
The Bruins were able to rebound in set three and use the momentum in the fourth set to close out the match.
“We need to work on defense,” Ceballos said. “This team is able to compete, they just need to have the right mindset.”
Wilson next hosts Cabrillo on Thursday while Poly faces Lakewood at LBCC.
