Payton pulls comeback against Lions

Sometimes all it takes from being dominated in one game to being the dominator is just a small change in the gameplan. Payton learned that Wednesday afternoon as it came back to defeat top-seeded Lincoln Park 14-25, 25-18, 26-24 in the first Public League semifinal played at Senn.

“At first, we were playing scared to lose,’’ said Payton star freshman Earl Schultz. “Then we decided we needed to not be and started playing to win.’’

The last set was one full of excitement that saw both teams trade points with every serve, neither team ever leading by more than two points. Schultz, who finished the match with a team-high 10 kills, went toe-to-toe with Lincoln Park’s own star, Nicholas Ali. The two traded kills for six points. But it was Schultz who got the last laugh as he had the match-winning kill.

“I would actually prefer blowouts, but I like games where it’s close and exciting and you need to play hard,’’ said Schultz. “It keeps you going knowing there’s so much excitement.’’

After looking outmatched in the first set, the Grizzlies (19-12) got out to a quick 6-0 lead in the second set and never looked back. Lincoln Park fought back to tie the game at 13, but Payton made sure the Lions never climbed to within more than a point, going on a 11-4 run to end the set.

“It’s pretty cool to be going to play for the championship as a freshman. It’s going to be a lot of fun.’’

Ali led Lincoln Park with 18 kills, while Anthony Huang added 10.

This marked the fifth semifinal trip in five years for the Grizzlies.