Van Nuys Victory Is Semi-Sweet

VAN NUYS — A two-game deficit and the loss of senior outside hitter Larry Najera fueled a comeback by the Van Nuys High boys’ volleyball team that was equal parts desperation and inspiration.

The result was a 10-15, 15-17, 15-7, 15-10, 15-10 victory over defending champion Marshall in a City Section 3-A Division semifinal Wednesday night.

“It’s about our hearts,” said Van Nuys middle blocker Ioannis Avramis, who had 19 blocks and 13 kills--four late in the match.

“We were all depressed after Larry went out, but we fired it up. We had to do it for him. This is pretty incredible.”

Second-seeded Van Nuys (13-2), which will play top-seeded Eagle Rock in the final Friday at Occidental College, knocked off a Marshall team that was gunning for its sixth consecutive appearance in the final.

The Barristers (10-3) won three of the last four 3-A titles, including one in 1994 over Van Nuys. The Wolves will be making their third appearance in the final. They lost to Venice in 1991.

Allen Chiu made 23 kills, Sam Park had 65 assists and Van Quach came off the bench to record six kills and nine digs in place of Najera, who suffered a head laceration late in the second game.

“He means a lot to us,” Chiu said. “These guys picked it up right here for him.”

Najera hit a shot into the net in the second game and slammed his palms on the court in frustration. As he rose, Najera’s head slammed into the chin of teammate Tetsuya Kosaka. Najera lay on the floor for several minutes, bleeding from a gash on his head, and was taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center for stitches. Kosaka was unhurt.

Despite the loss of Najera, who had 13 kills when he left, the Wolves built a seven-point lead and won the third game.

The Wolves took an 8-1 lead in the fourth game and held off a late rally by Marshall.