A year after becoming the first boys athletic team in school history to qualify for the state finals, the Payton volleyball team became the first in any sport, boys or girls, to qualify in consecutive years. The Grizzlies accomplished the feat by defeating St. Patrick 25-23, 25-23 for the second straight year at the Young sectional Tuesday.

But Payton had to do it a different way this year. Last season’s senior-laden squad had experience in tough game situations, which helped it breeze through the sectionals. This year’s team includes seven freshmen and sophomores and didn’t have the experience of playing through the playoffs.

“Last year’s squad was different in that we knew were good and almost took it for granted,” said Payton coach Casey Feeney. “This year’s team, which is mostly younger, has to work for it every day in practice. The younger guys are coming in and contributing, maybe not starting, but they all have their own roles.”

One of those underclassmen is sophomore outside hitter Gabe Geleerd, whose serving brought Payton (27-7) back at the end of the first set from 21-19 to a 22-21 lead.  That run was needed because Payton got out to a slow start and had to come back from deficits for the majority of the first set.  The set was punctuated by an Earl Schultz kill down the middle of the Shamrock (18-23) defense and gave the Grizzlies the early lead.

The two constants for Payton last year and this year have been Schultz and senior Alex Bresler.

“It’s pretty surreal to go to state in any sport, but to be the first team in Payton history to go back-to-back is something we didn’t even realize,’’ said Schultz, who had 12 kills. “It’s taken a lot of work and effort and we’ve all improved as a team to get here.”

Unlike the second set where the Shamrocks got off to the fast start, Payton turned the tables on their opponents, earning a quick 10-6 advantage before two Payton errors and two kills from Jack Benson tied the set at 10.

The teams traded points, neither gaining more than a four point-lead until the score became 20-19 St. Patrick. Then Bresler and Schultz took over. Schultz’s kill tied the set at 20, Bresler added two kills and Schultz had an ace to set up match point for the Grizzles. Senior Mitch Laski ended it there, sending Payton to its second consecutive trip to the volleyball state finals.

Luis Gallego had 10 kills and Benson has six for the Shamrocks, who were looking to become just the second team to advance to state with a losing record.

“We’ve fought through a lot of stuff and we got here as a team,” said Bresler, who had nine kills. “We just want to show we deserve to be there.”

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