The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
This season has brought a wave of changes for the WIlson boys’ volleyball program – with a new coach and some new faces – the Bruins are ushering in a new age as they look to get back to the top of the Moore League.
Tobin Hackney provided a new look on the outside for the Bruins, hammering a match-high 18 kills as Wilson swept Lakewood 25-13, 25-22, 25-12 on Thursday.
“Last year I was coming off the bench and I was playing middle,” Hackney said of making an impact for Wilson this year. “Before this season I knew I wanted to switch to outside and try to take over the role that Merrick left. I’d like to fill those shoes, whether or not I can fully do it.”
“I’m having a fun time playing, for sure,” Hackney added about his move to outside. “Being able to lead these guys out here and just having that new variety on the court is something I really like.”
Along with some positional moves, Wilson also utilized a 6-2 this looking to get Dylan Srey on the court to help facilitate the offense with Mathias Espiritu.
That connection was evident in the first set as Srey was able to find his hitters as Wilson built a 15-6 lead. Srey got Darrell Kiled and Hackney involved as the Bruins continued to dominate.
In the second set, Lakewood used their scrapiness to battle back after trailing 16-10. The Lancers went on a 5-0 run and eventually took a 22-21 lead after an error. However, freshman Elias Barth tied the set at 22 with his fourth kill of the match as the Bruins went on a 4-0 run to close take the set and a commanding 2-0 lead.
“In the second set we had a little bit of nerves coming in there,” Wilson coach Shawn Goodner said. “Lakewood is a very athletic team, a very scrappy team also. They definitely brought the heat coming in today, and we’re thankful and respectful of them coming into this game.”
Wilson shook off the second-set nerves and dominated the third set as they built a 16-3 lead. Hackney had six kills to lead the Bruins, but Carson Kollin, Kiled and Srey got in the action as the Bruins took the convincing win.
The Bruins will have another big week ahead of them with contests against Millikan and Long Beach Poly looming next week.
“My staff and all my boys are super excited for next week – not just Poly on Thursday, but Millikan as well,” Goodner said. “We’re hitting the top end of this league. We wanted to start the bottom strong, but we’re going to see some competition for the first time next week. It’s going to be a tough battle, but like we talked about, heading into any game, whether it’s at our home gym or away, we want every team to know and prepare that we’re ready for battle and ready to work.”
Lakewood will be right back in action as they have contests against Anaheim and South Torrance Friday and Saturday, before they take on Poly on Tuesday.
