Stevie Klein ’12
Editor-in-Chief

On Wednesday, May 11, the Staples boys volleyball team defeated Ridgefield 3-1 (25-13, 25-17, 22-25, 27-25) with a comeback from an 8-point deficit in the fourth game.

It seemed as if Ridgefield would bring them to a fifth game, with a lead of 19-11 in the fourth game. However, the Wreckers came back, and with Ridgefield in a 23-19 lead, they scored five points in a row, and a kill by Jonah Aelyon ’12 made the score 24-23. Tied at 25-25, Andreas Bub ’11 had a winning hit, with Aelyon killing the next ball to win the game 27-25.

The team feels that they weakened during the third game and into the beginning of the fourth, when they let Ridgefield start to come back.

“We fell apart during the third game and beginning of the fourth. But it is a demonstration of how focused this team can be when we need to, coming from an 8-point deficit and winning the game,” Andreas Bub ’11 said.

During the timeouts, Coach Jonathon Shepro explained the importance of regaining focus.

“I stressed the importance of every point during the timeout,” he said. Aelyon reaffirmed this. “During that crucial timeout we stressed focus and concentration because everything started to break down so with focus and energy we were able to win,” he said.

During the 25-25 tie, Shepro was nervous but excited. “It’s not supposed to be easy, it’s supposed to be hard, that’s what makes it so exciting,” he said.

Aelyon received the game ball, with 17 service points including three aces, in addition to five digs and numerous kills, including the one that won the game.

“I just focused on not hitting it into the block and hitting around it. I wanted to finish the game,” he said.