Register-Pajaronian, 4/22/2019, “Hawks have strong outing at Surf City Invitational,” photos and story by Juan Reyes.
The Mount Madonna boys’ volleyball team made it as far as the semifinals at the Harbor Surf City Invitational on Saturday, but came up short against Clovis East in two sets (18-25, 19-25).
“It’s my fourth year doing the tournament and the playoffs is definitely one of the best I’ve seen”said Hawks senior Luca Peruzzi. “(Clovis East) were rivals with us last year but I think they’ve gotten even better.”
Peruzzi said he was still pleased with the team’s performance despite the loss to a tough to the Timberwolves.
The Hawks went 3-0 in pool play beating out teams like James Logan of Union City in three sets (23-25, 25-15, 15-12) and Aragon in two sets (25-14, 25-12).
Mount Madonna then defeated Central High in three sets (26-24, 15-25, 15-2) in a thrilling quarterfinals match.
“It wears on you though,” Peruzzi said. “I think we just lost a little bit of energy in the end, we kind of got a little tired. But, it was still fun.”
Hawks coach PK McDonald said the team is at a point in the season where they know they need to get better.
“The best way to do that is come out here and play with the best teams that are around,” McDonald said.
McDonald said the team’s success has been a combination of senior leadership and key new additions. Peruzzi said Saturday’s tournament was also a chance for them to work out any chinks in the armor.
“It’s all about reps, getting repetitions as a team and everyone’s gelling,” Peruzzi said. “This tournament is really just getting us in rhythm for the playoffs. Playing all these games helps you perform better in the long.”
Peruzzi said the team has plenty of talent but at this point he wants them to focus and put in effort with the league tournament coming up.