Small Cypress Does Big Things, Wins in Four

Cypress may be one of the county’s smaller boys’ volleyball teams, but the Centurions make up for it in other ways.

El Dorado discovered that Friday as the undefeated Centurions beat the Golden Hawks, 15-10, 11-15, 15-5, 15-12, in an Empire League match.

Though they’re not the tallest bunch, the Centurions’ outside hitters still spent most of their time above the net, keeping the Golden Hawks off-balance and unable to get a passing game going.

“We look at [a size disadvantage] as a challenge,” said Cypress outside hitter Brian Morris. “We know we have that height to make up.”

Morris and Troy Kela led the Centurions with 14 kills each. Cypress’ Garret Massey contributed 42 assists and 11 blocks. Cypress Coach Heather Dillard doesn’t considered height to be a handicap for her team.

“I never really thought it was a big deal,” said Dillard. “But our leaping helps. Our outside hitters really do get some hang time.”

Cypress (10-0, 3-0 in league) gave away a few inches to El Dorado (7-3, 3-2), but the Golden Hawks gave back by committing too many errors.

The Centurions came from behind in each game they won and capitalized on El Dorado mistakes early, scoring eight points in a row in the first game after trailing, 10-7.

El Dorado got even in the second game but committed seven service errors in the third along with numerous passing and hitting mistakes.

Cypress scored nine straight points in the third as its serving and passing got on track.

Cypress came back again in the fourth with a 9-2 run, capped by a Jeff Miller kill off a Massey assist.