Morrow Provides Assistance for Harvard

Volleyball is power.

Outside hitters slam down kill after kill and middle blockers try to stuff them.

Balls fly back and forth, players get nailed in the face.

Which is why it’s interesting to see a match between Harvard-Westlake High and Crespi decided by . . . a setter.

Jason Morrow was everywhere Tuesday, perfectly setting up his Harvard teammates as they set down Crespi, 15-7, 15-6, 15-7 in a Mission League match at Crespi.

Morrow had 42 assists and kept Harvard hitters Rick Rauth and Trevor Julian plenty active. They each had 15 kills.

Morrow sat out with a knee injury the first time the teams met, a five-game marathon that ended with the same result.

This one was considerably shorter. Crespi Coach Chuck English knew why.

“Their setter did a great job moving the ball around,” said English. “He was able to put the ball wherever he wanted.”

The praise kept coming for Morrow, even if it was from the opposition.

“Ever since I’ve known him, he’s been able to flow with hitters,” said Crespi outside hitter Brian Spratt, who transferred from Harvard last year. “It’s a big advantage.”

Morrow’s jump serve was also a Harvard booster. He had five service aces for the Wolverines (9-2, 7-1 in Mission League play).

Two of those came near the end of the second game and capped an 11-point run by Harvard (5-6, 3-4).

No big deal for Morrow, who still feels a little pain from stretched tendons in his left knee that forced him to miss two matches and a tournament earlier this season.

“It’s important getting everybody around me involved,” said Morrow, a junior. “We played pretty well pretty much all around.”

Harvard Coach Jess Quiroz wasn’t particularly pleased with his team’s defensive play up front.

“I thought we played a little bit sloppy at the net,” Quiroz said. “We could have played it a lot tougher.”