Flintridge Prep boys’ volleyball begins defense of title with sweep of rival
LA CAÑADA — It’s a conversation that’s all too familiar with the Flintridge Prep boys’ volleyball team.
The Rebels have been a dominant force in the Prep League, winning the last five league championships.
However, Flintridge Prep coach Sean Beattie has made it a point to explain to his players that there are no pushovers in the Prep League no matter how dominant the Rebels’ run has been.
Flintridge Prep got the message Thursday, as it began defense of its league title with a 25-18, 25-14, 25-19 home win against rival Pasadena Poly.
“When you get to the top, everybody wants to knock you off and we don’t get too many teams in our league not playing their best against us,” Beattie said. “We know that, so we have to be on our game.
“It’s a tough league and you look at a team like Pasadena Poly and they have potential. We can’t back down against any of our league opponents and we have to get out there and establish ourselves.”
Flintridge Prep (11-1), ranked No. 10 in CIF Southern Section Division III, received 25 assists from Tim Treinen and nine kills and four aces from AJ Nicassio to take apart Pasadena Poly (0-8, 0-1 in league) in the first of two head-to-head meetings. The teams will meet again April 10 at Pasadena Poly.
“We have a lot of tall guys on our team and we were efficient,” Treinen said. “We have a pretty diverse offense and we get everybody involved.
“It’s going to take hard work and determination in order to win league again. We have to keep building our confidence, mentally and technically. It’s always fun to play your rival and it’s good to get that first league match out of the way.”
Flintridge Prep got six kills each from Garrett Gaines and Majeed Ismail.
Flintridge Prep took a 9-3 lead in the first set on a kill by Ismail. Nicassio, a reigning All-Area selection, made it 14-10 with a kill. Nicassio closed out the set with a kill down the left side.
The Rebels, who won the Providence Tournament on Saturday, raced out to a 12-4 lead in the second set on a kill by Nicassio off an assist from Treinen. Kristofer Chang registered an ace to make it 17-6 before an ace by James Ayers closed out the set to give the Rebels a 2-0 advantage.
A kill by Ismail gave Flintridge Prep a 10-3 lead in the third set. Pasadena Poly closed to within 13-11 before Flintridge Prep went on a 7-1 run to take a 20-12 lead.
“We made some plays when we needed to,” said Beattie, a former All-Area Boys’ Volleyball Coach of the Year. “AJ established himself and we got some good defense with our digs.”
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
