It didn’t have an impact on the outcome of the season.
But Tuesday night’s Suburban One League American Conference boys volleyball contest between Central Bucks West and host Central Bucks East was a spirited clash of two district rivals.
CB East came out on top, 3-1 (25-15, 25-20, 23-25, 25-8) as the Patriots continue their push into the District One Class 3A tournament.
The Patriots jumped out to a two-set lead but in the third set, the Bucks took control and held a seven-point lead before CB East clawed back. East came within three points at the end, but couldn’t hold off the Bucks.
CB West took an early lead in the fourth set, but the Patriots found their feet and took command, cruising to the win.
“We let them get back into it but on the other hand we had a lot of guys get playing time and that’s better for the team collectively because everyone prospers by getting that experience,” CB East senior libero Aiden Leichter said. “But we came through and I’m happy with the win.
“The playoffs are secured and that takes the pressure off a little bit. We came into this game just wanting to have a good time and we did.”
Leichter, who will study applied math (pre-med) at Tulane, had 13 digs, four assists and an ace for the night.
The district tourney begins on Tuesday and the Patriots will have a home game. Since that is Election Day the school will be closed, so no site for the contest has been announced yet.
“It’s our first time in the playoffs so it’s a whole new experience and we’re ready,” Leichter said. “Things are finally coming together for us. Over the past few years we’ve been rebuilding and it’s finally the year. We’ve peaked.”
CB East’s Rhys Marshall had 22 assists, four digs and three aces, Reid Miller made 19 kills and had four blocks, A.J. Helveston put up five kills, four digs and a block, Justin Berger contributed five kills and five blocks, Liam Donnelly and Ethan Scott came up with five blocks and one kill apiece, Pat Haurin had two kills and a dig, Steve DiRugeris had three digs and an ace, Sean Figus added an ace, and Kurt Patel pitched in with a dig.
“Things fell apart a little in the third game but we had a good push at the end, which helped us get things going in the fourth game,” senior opposite Matt LaBouliere said. “We were comfortable. We knew we had it. We were just excited to play more, and a lot of people got involved.
“This is a big rivalry and it’s a good environment. I like playing these games. They’re way more intense and that’s good for us because once we get to the playoffs we’re only going to play harder teams.”
The Patriots defeated league-leading Pennridge, 3-2, on April 27.
“That shows us what we can do,” LaBouliere said. “I have high hopes for us. I think we can go far.”
LaBouliere was a receiver and cornerback on the CB East football team. He will attend the Coast Guard Academy, where he will play football and study cyber systems.
For CB West, Dean Nguyen had nine kills, John Craine made four kills, Christian Woo put up three kills, Caleb Woodring had 11 digs and Liam Boyle contributed 21 assists.
“Our defense was pretty good,” said CB West junior outside hitter Oliver Hu. “We need to avoid errors on serving and work on covering the block as well.
“We had some energy and that was good. These games are big rivalries. East is very good and we worked our best. We’re kind of on the young side this year, but next year I see good things. If everyone continues to work on their individual skills and conditioning, I think we can have a good year and I’m excited to see that happen.”
Hu, who also plays piano in the CB West orchestra, ended the evening with six kills.
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