By Fred Siegle
Bayonne - Round One of the battle for supremacy in Hudson County, and maybe North Jersey, went to Bayonne.
The Bees earned a 25-18, 19-25, 26-24 victory over St. Peters on Thursday in the first of at least two, and possibly four or more, meetings.
Sophomore Patrick Rusznica and junior Coco Ostorga combined for a block for the match-winning play in the third game. Rusznica finished with a team-high 7 blocks and also had 4 kills. Danny Kochanski (5 blocks) and Justin Beaumont each had 12 kills to lead the Bees' attack.
"It was 18-18 in the third game, and to me it just came down to desire and mental toughness,'' said Bayonne coach Pat Longo, who's team remained unbeaten. "I think it was a great match, it's unfortunate someone had to lose.''
Kochinski and Ostorga combined for a block that gave Bayonne a 23-19 lead in the third game, but St. Peters battled back with five straight points - a great save by libero Kevin McNerney (21 digs), who had a bump-kill from a harsh angle that Bayonne's defense couldn't play, a Bayonne error, an ace by Nick DeBenedictis, a kill by Matt Whitford (15 kills in the match), and a triple block as Kochinski hit out of the middle.
But Bayonne took a time out and stared down the possible game point at 24-23 as Kochanski powered the ball through the block from the right side. A St. Peters error gave Bayonne game point before the block of Whitford by Rusznica and Ostorga.
"We knew they'd set Matt a lot, and he hits hard angle and tries to go around the block,'' Kochinski said.
"We knew where they were going to go, hitting-wise, and they knew where we were going to go,'' Longo said. "Those were two teams that really know each other well.''
Bayonne's passing broke down a bit in the second game, especially against a flurry of floaters by the Marauders. Stan Gasiewski sparked St. Peters with two aces in that game, and also had two more in Game 3. But Bayonne's serve-receive was more consistent in the finale.
"Our passers, especially James (Capello, the Bees' libero) stepped up in the third game,'' Kochanski said. "But we have to work on passing floaters, we're used to balls being pounded at us.''
"We knew if we got back to our style - passing well and aggressive hitting, we'd be fine,'' Longo said. "
Ostorga finished with 7 kills and 11 digs, Krystoph Bogdan chipped in 3 kills, 14 digs and 3 blocks, Capello had 24 digs, and setter Mark Gacki had 27 assists, 18 digs, and 3 blocks.
"I thought we underperformed, we weren't executing,'' St. Peters coach Don Guide said. "We can't let them (Bayonne) lay back and dig balls, and for their size, they put up a good block.''
"The level of play was so high, the balls both teams kept in play were amazing,'' Longo said.
The two teams will meet again on May 10 at St. Peters, will likely face each other again in the Hudson County Tournament, and also could meet in the NJSIAA playoffs at the end of the season.
"I'm happy Bayonne has a good team,'' Guide said. "That's the kind of competition we need here in Hudson County.''
"It was a great game,'' Longo said. "It's the kind we need to see here.''
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