HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL / SOUTHERN SECTION 3-A DIVISION PLAYOFFS : After a Shaky Start, Crespi Regroups and Knocks Off Hart

After losing the first game and falling behind in the second, Crespi High turned to its defense Tuesday night to pull out a 17-19, 15-8, 15-8, 15-10 victory over host Hart in a second-round match of the Southern Section 3-A Division volleyball playoffs.

Behind strong blocking and digging, the Celts put the brakes to Hart’s attack and discovered some offense of their own.

Outside hitter Mike Lee led the Crespi surge with 31 kills, but his performance was just part of a multifaceted attack. Billy Rojas had 23 kills, Cass Smith added 13 and Marcus Sumner provided 10 kills and 10 blocks.

“We’ve always had the hitters, but our passing hasn’t been that good,” Lee said. “We were passing (extremely well) tonight. That freed our setter (Phil Gajic) to set anyone he wanted.”

Hart (12-4) was sharper with both passing and defense in the first game.

The Indians took a 10-6 lead before Crespi rallied to tie the score, 14-14. The Celts (13-3) withstood six game points, then Hart put it away when Rojas hit the ball wide down the line.

Hart jumped to a 3-0 lead in the second game. And with Crespi players arguing with the officials on several points, the Celts looked to be in trouble. That changed after Crespi Coach Kevin Slattum called a timeout.

“I think the guys were nervous in the first game,” Slattum said. “We decided to just play the game instead of worrying about each point.”

Crespi tied it, 4-4, and stayed even until a seven-point run ended the game.

“We all decided we had to stick together as a team,” Sumner said. “We were on our heels on defense. We had to get on our toes and anticipate where they were going to hit the ball.”

Crespi led nearly all the way in Game 3, then wore Hart down in the final game, recovering from a 6-4 deficit to sneak away once more.

“We knew if we were going to go anywhere in the playoffs, it would be with defense,” Slattum said. “And that’s what happened tonight.”