May 18 marked the end of a strong run by the Lafayette boys volleyball team, as the Lancers were defeated 2-1 by SLUH in the State quarterfinals. They had advanced after going 3-1 in a five-team District pool on May15.

The match started out positively for the team, as they took a 10-6 lead in the first game. Aggressive frontline play by senior Jeff Drissell and junior Rob Berry gave the Lancers early momentum.

As the game progressed, SLUH took advantage of uncontested spikes and overtook the lead on the way to a 25-20 win.

The Lancers responded with a competitive start in the second game.

 Two emphatic blocks by Berry gave the team leads of 10-8 and 12-8, respectively. Several missed opportunities at the net by Lafayette allowed SLUH to close the lead at 17-16. An additional two blocks by Berry as well as a kill by sophomore Luke Kreinekamp stretched the lead and allowed the Lancers to tie the match with a 25-22 win.

Any momentum gained by Lafayette was crushed in the deciding third game.

The team was rattled by a continuous barrage of kills that ignited the previously quiet SLUH student section. Even as errors by SLUH kept the game within reach, ineffective setting prevented the Lancers from mounting a comeback.

Lafayette’s season came to a close as the Bilikens took the game 25-14.