Champlin Park and Park Center boys volleyball met last week in a border battle at Champlin Park High School on April 25, with the Pirates coming out on top with a 3-1 win.
Park Center opened the night with a comprehensive 25-18 win in set one, which featured no timeouts. Titus Lee was dangerous setting early on for the Pirates, while Koua Chang and Chalij Chang shined at the attack line for the visitors to rack up points. Champlin Park Libero Chance Lee held his own in the set one loss, with the physical presence of Anthony Phothirath, Alex Vang, and Eric Lor all contributing to the Rebels’ 18 points.
Champlin Park responded to a difficult start with an improved second set. The Rebels took and held the lead through elevated play from Titus Yang, Ryu Vang, and Varflay Kamra. Park Center did keep it close, trailing by just one point when Champlin Park hit match point at 24-23. Park Center Libero Austin Kue was ever-present on the court, but an error did see the Rebels clinch set two 25-23.
If Champlin Park’s response to adversity was impressive, then Park Center’s in set three was yet another tone-setting moment for the game. The Pirates rocketed ahead to secure a 10-point lead and win set three 25-15 to make it a 2-1 game. Koua Chang, Chalij Chang, and Payton Xiong each had shining moments at the attack line, spiking unstoppable hits. Teng Moua, Alex Xiong, and Ken Chang also added energy to the game as substitutes, keeping the Pirates fresh on their feet.
Set four saw both teams bring their A game in search of either a decisive win or a lifeline. Champlin Park took an early lead, punishing sloppy moments by the Pirates. Koua Chang and Alex Xiong caused trouble at the net to help Park Center tie the game up at 13-13, working to counter hits from Champlin Park’s Titus Yang, Alex Vang, and Nathan Tang.
A series of wild rallies pushed the game forward with narrow margins. Champlin Park looked set to clinch the win up 22-18, but a surge from the Pirates saw Park Center tie it up at 22-22 before winning 25-23 to end the night at 3-1.
Park Center ended the night with a 2-0 North Conference record, and 3-2 overall this season. Champlin Park are now 3-5 overall, and 0-2 in North Conference play.
Other results
Both teams scored one game last week prior to their meeting. Champlin Park lost a hard-fought district rivalry game 3-2 to Anoka on April 23. The Rebels won set one 25-18 and set three 25-23, but fell 15-8 in set five.
Park Center picked up a win on the same day, beating Mounds View 3-2 in its first home win of the 2024 season.
Champlin Park will play two games the following week, traveling to Andover on April 29 (after this edition went to press) and Brooklyn Center on Thursday, May 2.
Park Center will play one game the following week, hosting Centennial on Tuesday, April 30.
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