Payton regroups to cruise past Von Steuben

Payton was nearly caught looking ahead in Wednesday’s match against Von Steuben, but regrouped for a 25-12, 25-20 win in the first of two Public League semifinals at Northside.

Payton (21-9) showed why it was the top-seeded team in the Public League playoffs as it got off to a rousing 9-3 start in the first set behind the arms of Perry Howell (two kills in the run) and Earl Schultz (one). Von Steuben (16-16) pulled to within four, 9-5, but the Grizzlies used a 16-7 run to win the set with ease.

The second set looked as if it would be more of the same, as Payton rushed out to a 12-2 lead. But that’s when the Grizzlies’ play got shaky. With the big lead, Payton coach Casey Feeney inserted some players who normally wouldn’t get a lot of playing time and the Grizzlies saw the lead slip to 19-17.

But a kill by Howell sparked a 6-3 run that would seal the match. Howell was at the service line for two more of those points, including an ace.

Howell finished with 12 kills, while Schultz added six.

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