By BOB VIGGIANO
Courier-Post Staff
CHERRY HILL

The Eastern boys' volleyball team more than lived up to its advance billing Friday afternoon.

In an awesome performance of power hitting and finese serving, the Vikings struck the first major blow in the Olympic Conference American Division race when they rolled past defending champion Cherry Hill West in straight games 25-16 and 25-15.

In ending Cherry Hill West's 17-game regular-season winning streak, the Vikings established themselves as the team to beat in the American Division.

"We looked to this as our biggest match of the year," said senior Michael Bertucci, who along with his brother Brian and 6-foot-7 senior Larry Chatman couldn't be handled along the net. "We talked on the bus ride over about staying focused on our game and not what West would do today.

"Getting a good jump in the first game I think was very big. I think we were a little nervous coming here, but getting the quick lead helped get rid of that."

"That's right," Chatman chimed in. "Getting that jump really gave us a lot of confidence. If we can play the way we did today we are going to be a very tough team to beat. Everyone was making a contribution."

In the first game, the Vikings jumped to an 8-2 lead that began with a Chatman thunderous kill. Cherry Hill West battled back and closed to 16-13. But then things quickly went downhill for the Lions.

Senior Mike Behan, celebrating his 18th birthday, stepped to the service line and with his unorthodox windmill style delivered six straight service points. The Lions were done.

"This is the best birthday present I could have asked for," said Behan, who started working on his serve two years ago and took him a year and half to perfect. "I know it looks kind of funny but it has been pretty effective for me."

Things got a little interesting midway through the second game when Cherry Hill West, behind the serving of Matt Parisi, scored six straight points to take a 12-11 lead.

Then Eastern refocused again and scored 11 of the game's next 12 points to take a 22-14 lead. A few minutes later, Chatman had another thunderous kill to end the match.

"I realize this is still early in the season," Eastern coach Tom Armour said. "But anytime you play a Cherry Hill West team it is a challenge. Playing West is a good gauge to see where you are. I think the kids responded to the challenge and overall I'm very pleased with the way the kids played."