The Gilman Greyhound volleyball team opened its 2010 MIAA A Conference season on Wednesday in Irvington with a 3-1 win over host Mount St. Joseph, 25-18, 25-16, 21-25, 25-15.

Senior setter Will Dorman had 38 assists and played a key role in leading the Greyhounds to victory.

“Matt Kantz, Duncan Morgen-Westrick, Harrison Ebeling, Tom O’Neill, and Galen Rende all played well today,” said Dorman.

It was warm outside at game time, and even warmer in the gym, but the heat didn’t faze the Greyhounds.

“We come in on August 10 and play in 110 degree heat in the old gym at Gilman, so endurance isn’t usually a factor for us,” said Dorman.

Kantz, who had 11 kills and 11 digs said, “Will did a great job all day of spreading it around.  We got solo outside because our middies were consistent inside.  We hit hard in the middle and forced them to stay; it allowed me to have plenty of solo opportunities.”

Kantz also praised Saint Joe.

“They’re a tough team to play.  They’re scrappy and they fight for every ball.”

Gilman coach Neil Gabbey also had kind words for the Gaels,  “It’s always tough coming down here.  Coach Sam (Bianco), his kids play so hard; Sean (Slattery) willed his team to victory in game three.”  

“We got big games today from a lot of players,” added Gabbey. “We touched 30 of their attacks at the net.”

This Gilman team knows how to win.  Five members of the volleyball team, John Durham, Brandan Casas, Ryan Stevens, Tom O’Neill and Kantz all play baseball at Gilman.  The Greyhounds won the MIAA A Conference baseball title last spring under Coach of the Year Larry Sheets.

Durham had 10 kills on Wednesday, Kantz, Ebeling and O’Neill all had two aces, Durham had three blocks, and Lantz had two.

Rende had 14 kills, Morgen-Westrick had eight and Ebeling had 6.

Mount St. Joe’s Gehrig McCracken had six kills and three blocks, Tommy Howser had thee kills and three blocks, and Slattery had seven kills and six blocks.

“We played with a lot of emotion today,” said Bianco, the Gaels young coach.  “I felt the difference today was that Gilman was much more disciplined in the back row.  We took a lot away from this one though. We  fought hard all day.”

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