Pioneers open gym with a victory

Jeff Tully

PROVIDENCE HIGH -- After a cost of $4.1 million, years of anticipation

and months of construction, the new Providence High gym was ready for

action.

All it was waiting for was a Pioneer victory.

In the first contest at the Fritz B. Burns Student Activity Center

Thursday, the Providence boys’ volleyball team christened its new home

with a 15-6, 15-10, 7-15, 15-13 Liberty League win against L.A. Windward.

The new gym replaces the old facility affectionately dubbed the

Providome, a cramped, cracker-box of a gym that also served as a

cafeteria and assembly hall.

“I’m just happy to get the first win in the new gym in our first

game,” Providence Coach and Athletic Director Andrew Bencze said.

“I think the gym turned out pretty good. I know opposing teams will be

happy to play here.”

Indeed. Windward Coach Mark Burnett said he was impressed with the

facility, and happy not to have to play in the Providome any more.

“This is really a positive thing not only for the school but for the

league,” Burnett said. “I’m really happy for the school and the place

looks great.”

Providence fans came out in force for the inaugural contest and were

treated to player introductions, a serving skills contest and a lot of

hoopla.

Unfortunately for some the Providence players, some of that hoopla may

have translated into nervous energy early in the match.

“We were very nervous out there,” Bencze said. “I think with all the

fans, and the hoopla, that really kind of threw us off a little. I looked

at some of the kids’ faces in that first game and they looked pretty

bad.”

Many fans in attendance were waiting for the first point to be scored

in the new gym, as the Wildcats (4-3, 1-1 in league) jumped out to a 4-0

lead.

However, when Windward mishandled a serve from Providence’s Kevin

Choi, the first Pioneer point was in the books.

For the Providence (12-4, 3-1) players, they had mixed feelings about

competing in the new gym.

“I kind of miss the Providome,” middle blocker Ian

Breckinridge-Jackson said. “This place is great, don’t get me wrong, but

I liked playing in the Providome.”

Outside hitter Aram Pirjanian said although he likes the new gym, the

facility will take some time getting used to.

“The more we play in it the better we will get,” he said. “We didn’t

play all that well today, but we can’t blame that on the new gym.”

Pirjanian paced the Pioneers -- ranked No. 7 in CIF Southern Section

Division V -- with 17 kills. Breckinridge-Jackson added 14 kills and four

blocks and Kevin Choi had 14 digs. Setter Danny Hyunh had 31 assists.

After overcoming a slow start in the first game, the Pioneers rallied

to easily win the second game. However, hampered by 19 service errors in

the match, the Pioneers struggled in the third game.

“I don’t think we played like a top-10 CIF team today,” Bencze said.

“But I was happy with the way we came back to win that fourth game.”