By John Sherrard, Correspondent
MONTEBELLO – Inexperience and youth took center stage in Thursday’s nonleague boys volleyball match between visiting Temple City High School and Schurr.
A young Temple City team swept Schurr 25-13, 25-22, 25-13. The Rams, who graduated nine seniors from last year’s team and has all underclassmen this season, improved to 3-2.
Schurr, which has only two seniors on the roster and two starting front-line blockers with first-year volleyball experience, remained winless at 0-5.
Leading the way for Temple City was junior middle blocker Brian Tang with a match-high 14 kills and six blocks.
Schurr junior libero Andy Palma led the Spartans with three kills, four assists and six digs.
“We like to try and get a fast start in our games,” Temple City coach Eric Chin said. “Brian (Tang) is our leader at the net and we have a young team this year. We just want to continue getting better and get ready for league.”
The Rams, who have seven juniors and three sophomores, jumped out to a 10-3 lead in the first game behind three kills from sophomore middle blocker Clinton Quach (eight kills in the game) and two by Tang.
Temple City gained the advantage with 5-0 and 4-0 runs in the opening game.
Schurr made a late charge with four consecutive points behind the serving of junior outside hitter Christopher Somoza to trail 21-13.
The second game was a different story for the Spartans, who were in the game to the end. Schurr, led by Palma’s backcourt play, forged six ties and led briefly at 7-5.
Because of the Spartans’ inexperience at the net, Palma was busy in the middle.
“Andy is very active back there for us and is one of our leaders,” Schurr coach Araceli Prado said. “We are young and just hope to improve each and every game this season.”
One impressive play was provided by first-year middle blocker Ruben Martinez, who dove into the first row of bleachers trying to save a point for the Spartans who trailed 7-6 at the time.
Later in the game, sophomore opposite Ali Elhawary had a kill to give the Rams an 18-15 lead.
Tang finished the game with a kill for a 2-0 advantage in games.
Temple City jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the third game and never was threatened the rest of the way.
Junior libero Kenny Yau had 12 digs and junior setter Josh Li had a game-high 26 assists for Temple City.
