Lainy Pierce said that she wanted to keep her options open in the process of selecting a college, but when it came right down to it, Penn State had too tight of a grip on the Eden High School senior – for good reason.

Not only is Penn State one of the more prestigious universities in the nation, but it is also the place her father, Robert, played men’s volleyball; her mother, Kiernan, competed in track and field and her sister, Kendall, is currently a sophomore on the women’s volleyball team.

The women’s volleyball team also continues to be a contender for the NCAA national championship, having won titles four straight years (2007 – 2010) and returned back to the Final Four last season.

Lainy, who had verbally committed to Penn State last year, made her decision official on Nov. 15, as she signed her letter of intent at Eden High School, before jumping on the bus with her Raiders teammates, to play in the state tournament in Glens Falls during the weekend.

“My parents and family were good about helping me keep my options open and not wanting me to feel too much pressure, but ultimately when I would discuss pros and cons of my top schools, it always came back to Penn State. Everything got compared to Penn State,” Lainy said. “Maybe it was because it was the first school I started looking at and I started looking at it from such a young age, and that might be from my parent’s influence. But whenever I thought of college, I’ve always thought of Penn State. It was hard for me to get out of that, but I’m glad I didn’t.”

It wasn’t just family ties that made the decision. If she wanted to play at the highest level and challenge herself academically, the athlete said she figured: What better place?

“Kendall and Lainy both understand that hard work does pay off and have had their eyes on the prize for a while now,” her father, Robert Pierce, said. “Yes, they’ve been smart enough to look at other options. We’ve taken them on visits, to say, ‘Look at this, look at this,’ but I think when they look at the whole big picture – family, volleyball and academics – having the opportunity to go to a university like this and play for national championship contender every year, it was a home run.”

Pierce, also the coach of Eden’s boys volleyball team, has already watched as Kendall Pierce earned her scholarship as a Penn State walk-on, and now he gets to see as his other daughter continue a family legacy at the university. Lainy Pierce was given some scholarship money, with the chance to win further scholarship awards.

“I never thought it would come to complete fruition, for both of them; I hoped it would ... it’s a dream,” Robert Pierce said. “We couldn’t be happier with Lainy’s choice. Penn State is rated a top 50 university in the world, and the resources afforded a student-athlete there are incredible, far more than when my wife and I went there. There placement and connection with alumni, academically, is top notch, facilities are top of the line ... and, to me, it’s one of the best coaching staffs around.” 

The decision brings a reunion between Lainy and Kendall Pierce as teammates. While at Eden, the two helped the Raiders to three straight state titles, a mark that was extended to five during the weekend, where Lainy Pierce won her second straight Most Valuable Player Award at states. Kendall Pierce had won it as a senior in 2011.

“My sister was super thrilled when she heard I committed to Penn State,” Lainy Pierce said. “She was bouncing off the walls. She wants to play with me again and I want to play with her again, because we had so much fun, but also it will be nice to be able to support each other at school.”

Originally looked at as a future libero at Penn State, playing as a setter at a state championship level the past two seasons has made Pierce more marketable and may get her on to the floor to compete and help right away at the next level, according to her father.

The athlete said she was a little reluctant to the idea of switching to setter at first, but she got used to the role and was willing to take it on, to help her team. She wound up embracing quarterbacking the team and helping others score, after being one of the main scorers herself on past teams she’s played on.

“Stephen [Pierce, her uncle and head coach at Eden] talked me into it and said, ‘This is something you have to do for the team,’” Lainy Pierce recalled. “I realized my role was something completely different from sophomore to junior year. I used to have my setter there and my sister as the libero and all they needed me to do was pass, serve and hit the ball, but I realized that I had to step up and truly be a leader. So if it was something I had to do for my team, than I would do it.”

Robert Pierce pointed out that Lainey had an advantage being the younger daughter and able to develop her athletic IQ by watching her older sister and playing up levels with older kids. He noted that this allowed her to mature quicker and be a major contributor for five years with Eden.

“Lainy’s been with me for five years and I’ve been able to see all of the growth,” Stephen Pierce said. “I’m proud of the young woman she’s become and the way she’s learned to put an imprint on the team. She’s one of the best pure athletes from this school. She should be the kind of athlete that responds well to the demands of the next level.”

Robert Pierce said that he is happy he and his wife now can make the four – five-hour trip to see two Pierces playing for Penn State at once. “We’re excited; we can go down there and watch both girls play,” he said. “They’re trading in the maroon and white for the blue and white, but they’ll always be Raiders. We couldn’t be happier for them. They worked so hard for this.”

West names October’s top athletes
West Seneca Bee
Thursday November 28, 2013

Hart, a senior on the boys volleyball team, was the team leader in kills for two matches this season, setting a career high of 24 kills against Orchard Park and also collecting 18 against Frontier in the sectional semifinals.

Hart “elevated his game at the net during October, becoming a potent offensive threat,” according to coach Brett Widman. Widman noted how Hart “was very consistent over the course of two weeks before spraining his ankle at Clarence on October 16.” Upon his return for the Indians’ annual rivalry match with East, Hart “took over the game offensively,” according to Widman.

Hart’s “desire and intensity on the offensive side of the net” helped keep the games close in West’s playoff finale against Frontier, Widman said, as Hart “continued to play at a very high level and never lost the desire to win.”

“Gregg is a committed athlete who puts in 110 percent to make his team as successful as possible,” Widman said. “When our passing was in sync, Gregg was an automatic kill, often hitting over the top of opposing blockers. 

He has always been receptive to constructive criticism and has improved vastly in his two years on the varsity squad. We are going to miss Gregg next year in the middle position; he has left very large shoes to fill.”

Awards banquet closes out Clarence volleyball season
Clarence Bee
Wednesday November 27, 2013

Clarence’s boys volleyball team officially put the finishing touches on its 2013 season recently when it held its annual awards banquet on Nov. 17.

The Red Devils, whose 15-11 overall record allowed them to finish third in the ECIC I standings and seventh in the final Western New York Coaches’ poll after reaching the Section VI Class A semifinals, set a new team record for digs in a season by collecting 1,268 of them to surpass the old record of 1,188 digs, which was set in 2010.

The team also became the first squad in the 27-year history of the Clarence Invitational to win the tournament.

Senior middle hitter Ted Okon had 94 blocks and a .612 hitting percentage, both of which were the second-highest single-season efforts in team history. Okon was also a Second Team ECIC I All-star because of his efforts. Senior Brandon Hill, the team leader in kills, and senior Dale Payne, the team leader in serve attempts, points serving and spike attempts, was both First Team ECIC I All-stars.

Senior Jake Baran, the team’s leader in digs and serve percentage, and senior Skyler Reinhardt, the team’s leader in assists, were both Honorable Mention ECIC I All-stars.

Team awards went to Hill (White Letter), Payne and Okon (co-Red Devil Players of the Year), senior Derek Burghardt (Michael T. Schlabach Memorial Award for leadership, dedication, and sportsmanship), and junior Matt Dempsey (Will-to-Win Award).

At the recently-held annual WNY Volleyball Coaches and Officials banquet and Hall of Fame induction at Ilio DiPaolo’s, JV coach David Grabowski was presented with the JV Coach of the Year Award for the fifth time in his 22 years as Clarence’s boys JV coach, and varsity coach Kevin Starr was presented with the Joe Gillespie Friend of Volleyball Award (named after the former Eden coach and fellow Hall of Fame member) for the fourth time since the award was established in 1998.

Grabowski’s JV team posted a 12-0 record in Division I (17-3 overall) to win its fourth consecutive league title.

Lockport volleyball squad revels in undefeated season
By Jonah Bronstein | Niagara Correspondent
Saturday November 23, 2013

As the Lions came together and made their championship run, they
became “the darlings of Lockport,” according to their coach.

The inventor of volleyball, William G. Morgan, spent much of his life in Lockport, yet the sport took awhile to take hold in his hometown.

Lockport High School didn’t establish a boys volleyball team until 1992, nearly a century after Morgan created what he called “Mintonette” at a YMCA in Holyoke, Mass., and 50 years after he was buried in Glenwood Cemetery.

And it took another two decades before Lockport put itself on the Western New York volleyball map.

Paper Lions no longer, Lockport now boasts a trophy case that shows a recent spike in interest in the sport. 

The Lockport Lions won their first Niagara Frontier League championship under coach Chris Niver in 2009 and a second one two years later. 

This fall, Lockport became the first team to go undefeated in NFL play and won its first sectional championship.

And though Lockport will graduate 11 seniors from this year’s team, program founder Joe Whalen, who returned to coach the Lions two years ago, believes there are even better days ahead for Lockport volleyball.

The Lockport varsity boys volleyball team won Section 6, Division A championship. Here, Coach Joe Whalen is pictured with three of his seniors; from left are Shawn Moore, Ryan Guyton and Brad Wroblewski. Sharon Cantillon/Buffalo News

The Lions return at least two players who are being recruited to play college volleyball, and the three-year-old Lockport Volleyball Club, run out of North Park Junior High School, is accelerating the development of the area’s youth players.

“There is a lot of momentum coming up from the bottom,” Whalen said. “These kids already know how to play. They are fearless. They are hitting the ball on a net a foot higher than it should be.”

And after this year’s championship run, young players in Lockport no longer fear the traditional volleyball powers in the Southern Tier.

Lockport’s three-game sweep of Frontier in the Section VI Class A championship wasn’t just a victory for its own program, but for volleyball in the northern portion of the section.

It marked the first sectional championship for an NFL team since Kenmore West in 2000, and the first time a Niagara County school had won the Class A title. 

The program has come a long way since the 1990s, when Whalen recalls taking the Lions to Lancaster and realizing they didn’t even belong on the same court with the eventual state champions.

This year’s squad, having played against the area’s top players in club tournaments, was never intimidated by the Southtowns opponents senior captain Jack Whalen called “the best of the best.”

“If anything, the feeling was opposite,” he said. “Teams would come in and look at us and be like, wow.”

The Lions made their presence known at the season-opening Clarence Tournament with wins over Lancaster, Orchard Park and West Seneca West.

Even as Lockport swept through its NFL slate and entered sectionals having lost just eight games total in 21 matches, Joe Whalen played up the perceived superiority of the Southtowns in the Lions’ locker room.

“Let’s go out and show people that there is good volleyball north of Sweet Home,” was the coach’s battle cry.

“After we beat Grand Island, their coach said to us, ‘Go represent the NFL and show the Southtowns what the NFL is about,” senior captain Bryce Perry said.

Joe Whalen already believed he had a team capable of winning the section when Niver asked him to take over the program in 2012. 

The year before, after Jack Whalen, Bryce Perry and Eamon Yates played on the varsity team as freshmen, Joe Whalen told his son, “Get your friends and tell them to go along for this ride.”

Around the same time, volleyball official Tom Schneider, a Rochester transplant, started the Lockport Volleyball Club with an under-12 team.

Established club programs in Eden and Orchard Park are a big reason the schools in the Southern Tier have been so dominant in sectional play, Joe Whalen said.

In the early days, Lockport players had to drive 40 minutes each way to participate in club volleyball. In recent years, they would play for the Panthers Club at Sweet Home Middle School.

This winter, Whalen will coach an 18-under team for the Lockport Volleyball Club, which has also added a 14-under team.

“It helps a lot playing club because there isn’t much time off,” Jack Whalen said. “We get to the high school season, and we’re still ready, and we have more experience from club.”

Club play also familiarizes players with the talent in other towns and practice drills high school coaches will use during the season, Joe Whalen said.

Lockport will be favored to repeat in the NFL next year, with 6-foot-8 Jason Donorovich, a Division I prospect, and 6-3 Brad Schneider swinging on the outside. 

The rising talent has Joe Whalen confident the Lions will remain sectional title contenders and perhaps make a state playoff run in the coming years.

“Whoever takes over for me when I leave is going to inherit a very experienced group of young men,” Joe Whalen said.

But this year’s team set a championship standard for its successors. 

“We had a complete, solid squad,” Joe Whalen said. “If you’ve got six kids on the floor who are B-plus players, it’s better than having two great players. We never had to worry about chasing someone else on the floor who wasn’t playing well.”

As the Lions came together and made their championship run, they became “the darlings of Lockport,” Joe Whalen said, in a city that is normally preoccupied with football and soccer in the fall. “For Lockport,” Jack Whalen said after the sectional victory, “it was nothing we’ve ever done, and it was everything we’ve ever wanted.”

Open Mike: Eden volleyball stands out among all programs
By: Michael J. Petro | Sports
Friday November 22, 2013

CHAMPIONS — The Eden girls volleyball team celebrates the program’s 11th state
title, after sweeping its way through the state tournament over the weekend.

There is a separation that Eden has established from other girls volleyball teams and most athletic programs, in general, around the state.

The Raiders are accomplishing feats over and over again that most programs would be good with doing just once. It seems we’ve gotten so used to Eden winning state titles, it becomes commonplace to take these accomplishments for granted.

Eden coasted through the state’s final four – without losing a set – during the weekend, to win a fifth straight state title and seven in nine seasons. It’s the program’s 11th overall; eighth, as a Class C team.

There is such precision, attention to detail and an air of confidence that goes into every run and, when it ends with a state title, it almost seems to have become more expected than appreciated.

In actuality, this may be the most impressive run for a program since the era of state championship tournaments began in New York in the early 1990s. This is as close to perfection you’ll see at the high school sports level and it is all happening right here, in the small hidden-gem of a town called Eden.

“We consider ourselves a small school playing at a AA-size level,” said head coach Stephen Pierce.

Pierce is the driving force behind most of his players’ competing at the highest of levels, also encouraging them to play in club, many with Niagara Frontier Volleyball, which is also second to none in building and enhancing talent. Pierce also coaches and is on the board of directors with the NFVC.

There is year-round playing talent every season at Eden, which makes the program head and shoulders above similar-sized programs in the growing sport, but to have this much success at such a high level goes beyond solely talent. Pierce pinpointed two factors in Eden’s success: expectations and culture.

This team is held to a different standard, that which is required to win championship after championship.

There’s a certain level of play expected, which leaves some in awe and others uncomfortable, at times. To see a coach finding fault with a team that’s thoroughly dominating a match can elicit some uneasiness, but Pierce demands the best from his players at all times, regardless of the opponent’s strength.

“Even in a 20 – 5 set, the girls understand [that], if we don’t play to a certain standard, there’s an issue,” Pierce said. “If the girls play a point casually, it’s not about, ‘Oh well, we still won.’ It’s about playing to an acceptable standard.”

And then there’s the ownership that every player on the team seems to willingly take on. Pierce said that each new generation of team leaders are interested in leaving a path for others to follow, just like teammates before them did. 

It provides each player with a sense of responsibility, especially when younger eyes are watching. Pierce also said that the maturity of older players each season is very helpful to the coaching staff.

“I don’t have a lot of rules; I don’t have to because the juniors and seniors do that for me,” Pierce said. “That’s what we’re all about here.”

Of course, a team of this standard has been able to accomplish quite a bit individually, as well. Starting with 2009 graduate Heather Henry, who played for North Carolina, Eden has had a remarkable number of players go off to play for Division I programs, some at major schools. By my count, it’s now seven, if you include recent Penn State signee Lainy Pierce.

That also includes Stacey Smith (2010), a senior at Georgia; Hannah Herc (2010), a senior at Kent State, Hailee Herc (2010), a senior at Stony Brook, Heather Feldman (2011), a junior at Gardner-Webb and Kendall Pierce (2012), a sophomore at Penn State, who will soon be reunited with her sister.

No surprise: The Pierce girls are the nieces of Stephen Pierce and daughters of Robert Pierce, a former Penn State men’s volleyball player himself, who demands much of the same level of play from his boys volleyball program at Eden. In a way, the Eden volleyball program seems to be an extension of the Pierce family’s standards and values.

It takes discipline and dedication to maintain these expectations and a culture, which are the framework of all of the successes Eden has experienced. It may not be a fit for every student-athlete, but for the right person, the lessons learned while playing in this program can also help create some separation from others, in how that person carries one’s self in life.

Lockport earns plenty of all-NFL recognition
Staff Reports Lockport Union-Sun & Journal 
Wednesday November 20, 2013

LOCKPORT — 

Dozens of Lockport High School athletes have earned postseason accolades from the Niagara Frontier League.

Just a week after going further than any other volleyball team in LHS history, head coach Joe Whalen’s NFL and Section VI-champion Lions got the good news that seven players were named league all-stars.

Senior libero Eamon Yates and junior hitters Brad Schneider and Jason Donorovich were named to the NFL’s First Team for boys volleyball. Seniors Jack Whalen and Bryce Perry were named to the Second Team and seniors Shawn Moore and Jonah Ribbeck earned Third Team selections.

Rounding out the NFL’s First Team were Grand Island senior Brock Tetreault, Niagara-Wheatfield senior Sam Mattheus, North Tonawanda senior Joe Piotrowski and NT junior Donovan Book.

East boys volleyball finishes 13-5
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
Wednesday November 20, 2013

Williamsville East boys volleyball coach Michael Braunscheidel stresses a winning attitude and accountability for his players both on and off the court, and it resulted in the Flames finishing second in ECIC II with a 9-3 record and a 13-5 overall mark.

Braunscheidel said a turning point for the team came against St. Mary’s of Lancaster in the North Tonawanda Tournament. The Flames rallied from a 23-17 deficit in the second set to win 25-23. East lost the third set, 15-13.

Braunscheidel said his team had a tough two-week stretch to end the regular season, defeating Lake Shore for the first time in school history, sweeping Sweet Home twice in a week and losing to Williamsville South in four games.

East hosted a Section VI Class B prequarterfinal against Maryvale, winning in four sets, and played well in a three-set loss to Williamsville South in the quarterfinals.

“I’m overall pleased with the direction of the program,” Braunscheidel said. “I feel like the culture of East volleyball is continuing to evolve and other schools are taking notice. I look forward to the kids continuing their development by playing club volleyball in the offseason.”

Junior libero Dylan Cicero was named Team MVP.

“Without his knowledge of the offense and defense and his back row play and passing, we wouldn’t be able to run our offense as well as we would have,” Braunscheidel said.

Junior middle hitter Cort Williams was named the team’s most improved player.

“Cort was eager to play the first day of tryouts,” Brauscheidel said. “He was all over the court. He improved every practice and games. At times, he was our go-to player in the front row and he delivered.”

Junior setter Patrick Irving won the coaches’ award, a player who exceeded expectations and gave 100 percent in every phase of the game.

“He was enthusiastic and willing to learn which I believe is the hardest position to play in high school boys volleyball,” Braunscheidel said.

Senior outside hitter Michael Wisniewski and senior Alex Wehrlin both won the Flames award, given to a graduating senior who left their mark on the East volleyball program.

The JV team, coached by Jocelyn Canaday, went 12-0.

Eden wins fifth straight state volleyball title
By Laura Owens Special to the News
Sunday November 17, 2013

Eden’s Lainy Pierce was named Tournament MVP for Class C. Buffalo News file photo

GLENS FALLS — Lainy Pierce isn’t a crier. But after winning a fifth consecutive title at the New York State Girls Volleyball Tournament, the Eden senior felt the tears coming on.

“I don’t think it hit me until we got our awards and started taking pictures,” she said. “It’s unbelievable, and it means so much to be a part of this program.”

In Sunday’s 25-7, 25-18, 25-15 win over Millbrook in the Class C final at the Glens Falls Civic Center, coach Stephen Pierce said he saw flawless play in the first set.

“Right off the bat, service aces, we were picking up every ball, stuff blocking,” he said, “and I knew we’re still young, we can’t maintain that level” for three sets, “and I think a little anxiety to finish it and get us in the second game. And Millbrook, they had nothing to lose, they went for it. Overall, I thought our play was excellent.”

Lainy Pierce is familiar with Glens Falls, as she and teammate Heather Holscher have won the last five state titles there. She recalled her contributions each year, starting with when she was an eighth-grader, and was glad she had something to take away from each one.

Her freshman and sophomore years were when she started having a bigger role, and then junior year threw her for a loop when she had to switch positions to setter.

“The start of my junior year I had to learn a whole other role of setting, and I had to continue that this year,” she said. “Although setting might not be what I’m going to college for, it was something I had to learn how to do for the better of my team.”

Pierce, named Tournament MVP for Class C for the second year in a row, finished with five aces and three blocks. Next year, she’ll be playing at Penn State and was glad to end her high school career on a good note.

“With my dad as a coach and my uncle as a coach, it’s not like you’re getting handed out, ‘You did so well,’ so it’s nice to feel like other people see it,” she said. “But they know I work hard.”

Also from Eden, Holscher had 19 kills, while Meghan Ballou finished with nine kills and five aces.

Eden was making its 14th straight appearance at the state tournament. The Raiders finished 6-0 in pool play on Saturday.

Coming into the season, Stephen Pierce thought his team had a good chance for another title and said if any team was going to break the streak, it would’ve been last year’s team.

“Simply because our team” last year was very young, he said. “We did lose some good seniors last year, but we had a lot of main players coming back, so I knew we were going to be better. I felt pretty good.”

Other Section VI champions Frontier (Class AA), Sweet Home (Class A) and Starpoint (Class B) were eliminated in the previous round of the state playoffs.

Frontier’s run of upsets ends in boys volleyball final
By: Johnathan Snyder, Reporter | Sports
Friday November 15, 2013

GETTING A PIECE — Frontier seniors Erik Hatten (center) and Dylan Durni
go up for a block in the Class A sectional final. Photo by David Marino.

As the fifth seed in the sectional tournament, the Frontier boys volleyball team pulled two upsets on the road to reach the Class A final, but couldn’t finish the playoff run.

Frontier head coach Bill Faust said the high level of volleyball in the area was on display even as his team fell in straight sets to Lockport in the final on Nov. 6 at Hamburg. 

“My kids are survivors,” said Faust, whose team battled numerous injuries this season, but lost for a second straight year in the finals. “We made it to the finals, and I think that says a lot about what my team was this season.”

Junior setter Jake Gleason had 30 assists in the loss for the Falcons, and seniors Dylan Durni and Erik Hatten combined for nearly 30 kills.

Second-seeded Lockport won the school’s first sectional championship. The Lions won the first set 25 – 21 and then cruised to 25 – 18 and 25 – 19 wins in games two and three, to complete the sweep. 

The play of 6-foot-8 middle Jason Donorovich was the difference for Lockport, but the supporting cast also did its job and it was a full team effort, their head coach noted. Brad Schneider led the Lions with 13 kills, while Shawn Moore recorded seven kills and seven blocks. 

“We filled a lot of our gaps on the floor,” said Lockport head coach Joe Whalen, whose son Jack helped bring home the title, with his play. “We were solid all around. We passed well and we hit well. It doesn’t hurt to have a 6-foot-8 man.”

Lockport defeated Kenmore West in the first round of the playoffs, and then avenged an earlier season loss to third-seeded Clarence, in the semifinals. The coach said he thought all facets of his team were clicking in its championship win.

“This is a team sport, and this is a year where I have a full team of players,” Joe Whalen said. “We were running our offense fast. We weren’t giving them time to set up triple and double blocks.”

Durni and Hatton will leave behind a young Frontier team, which gained quality experience and will benefit from it in the long run.

“There’s a lot of potential here,” said Durni, after the match.

Whalens guide Lockport boys volleyball’s first sectional title
By: Johnathan Snyder, Reporter | Sports
Thursday November 14, 2013

Pictured above top, Jack Whalen and Jason Donorovich go up for the block
during Lockport’s title-winning match with Frontier. Photo by David Marino.

Jack Whalen wanted to give something to his father that neither of his older brothers were able to.

With the Lockport boys volleyball team in the sectional finals, Whalen was not going to be denied bringing his head coach, and father, Joe Whalen, the school’s first sectional championship. 

The second-seeded Lions defeated No. 5 Frontier, in straight sets in the Section VI Class A final on Nov. 6.

“This is the best feeling,” Jack Whalen said. “It’s awesome for [Joe Whalen] and now I have a little bragging rights over my family, with both of my brothers playing for him, too, so that’s awesome.”

Ryan and Kevin Whalen, both played for their father at Lockport and neither could bring a sectional championship to their school. Lockport had won league championships before, but never a sectional title.

“Sometimes [Jack] comes home with me,” Whalen said jokingly after the victory. “He often times tells me he’s playing to bring me something, and I’m very proud of him. He’s worked hard; he’s been in clubs; and he’s done his job.”

The Lions won the first set, 25-21, and then cruised to 25-18 and 25-19 wins in games two and three to complete the sweep. 

The play of 6-foot-8 middle Jason Donorovich was the difference for Lockport, but the supporting cast also did their job, their head coach noted.

“We filled a lot of our gaps on the floor,” coach Whalen said. “We were solid all around. We passed well and we hit well. It also doesn’t hurt to have a 6-foot-8 man.”

Lockport defeated Kenmore West in the first round of the playoffs, and then avenged an earlier season loss to third-seeded Clarence in the semifinals. Coach Whalen thought all facets of his team were clicking in its championship win.

“This is a team sport, and this is a year where I have a full team of players,” the coach said. “We were running our offense fast. We weren’t giving them time to set up triple and double blocks. Those were all really important. 

“And we were getting in front of blocks. I just really felt like we were doing our job,” he added.

Brad Schneider led the Lions with 13 kills, while Shawn Moore recorded seven kills and seven blocks. Jonah Ribbeck added five kills and four blocks, as well.

Lockport's boys volleyball team celebrates the program's first sectional title. Photo by David Marino.

The Lions run was ended in the regional final with a loss to Fairport on Nov. 9.

Frontier head coach, Bill Faust said that the match proved the level of volleyball in the area is very high. As the fifth seed, the Falcons upset top-ranked West Seneca West in the semifinals, but couldn’t finish the playoff run.

“My kids are survivors,” said Faust, whose team, which won titles in 2010-11, battled numerous injuries this season to make it back to the final. “We made it to the finals, and I think that says a lot about what my team was this season.”

Frontier had lost to Orchard Park in last year’s final. Junior Jake Gleason had 30 assists in the loss for the Falcons, and seniors Dylan Durni and Erik Hatten combined for nearly 30 kills. Durni and Hatten will leave behind a young team, which gained quality experience and should benefit from it in the long run. 

“There’s a lot of potential here,” said Durni very simply.

Maryvale boys volleyball close year on sour note
Cheektowaga Bee
Thursday November 14, 2013

Maryvale’s boys volleyball team, meanwhile, finished the season 10-2 in divisional action (12-5 overall) to place second in league play for the second straight year despite losing three starters off last season’s roster.

The Flyers won a 3-2 playoff prequarterfinal at home against crosstown rival Cheektowaga in what coach Andrew Murtha called “one of the most exciting wins in Maryvale sports history.” That excitement didn’t last in Maryvale’s quarterfinal-round clash with Grand Island, however, as the Flyers were shut out, 3-0, to drop out of title contention.

“We started out strong against Grand Island, going point for point with them in game one, but they played steady and blocked a lot of balls, and we weren’t at our best,” Murtha said. “Overall, though, it was a terrific season by a unique group of eight seniors who will be missed. They were asked a lot by their coach and teammates but rose to the challenge and had an awesome year.”

South boys volleyball falls in Class B final
Amherst Bee
Wednesday November 13, 2013

Williamsville South’s Anthony Podgorsak hits a roll shot during the Section VI Class B final
Wednesday at Hamburg High School. The Billies lost to Hamburg, 18-25, 25-22, 15-25,
19-25. It was South’s first appearance since 2006. Podgorsak finished with 20 kills.

Williamsville South’s bid to win its first Section VI title in boys volleyball ended in the Class B final Wednesday at Hamburg High school.

The Billies lost to top-ranked Hamburg, 18-25, 25-22, 15-25, 19-25. It was South’s first appearance in a section final since falling to Eden in 2006.

“I think the kids started a little nervous and it caused them to lose the first game,” South coach Thom Knab said. “They played hard in the second game and got it together. But all of a sudden they tightened up again and couldn’t pass as well as we wanted to which would not allow us to run our offense.”

Knab also said Hamburg had some good hitters and his players did not adjust their blocks enough to shut them down.

South also did not play Hamburg during the regular season so Knab had to go by what he had heard about them to come up with a game plan.

South senior Anthony Podgorsak, a four-year starter, recorded 20 kills in his final high school match.

Junior middle hitter Christian Graziano added 10 kills.

Sophomore setter Joe Zanelotti recorded 45 assists.

South finished 24-3 and went 12-0 in ECIC II. Besides Hamburg, the only other team South lost to was Lockport, the Section VI Class A champion.

The Billies finished ranked fourth in Western New York large schools.

Six seniors and four starters graduate, including Podgorsak, Steve Zaprowski (outside hitter), Kenny Stuber (libero) and Austin Baker (middle hitter).

Podgorsak recorded 345 kills, an increase of 54 kills from last year, and 67 aces.

The other two seniors on the team are Will Atkinson at middle hitter and Austin Collins at libero.

The Billies return Graziano (230 kills, 40 aces, 173 blocks, an increase of 100 blocks from last year), Zanelotti (team-high 70 aces) and junior Ryan Nigro (100 kills, 103 blocks).

Young Lake Shore spikers come a long way, but fall to Eden in quarters
By: Johnathan Snyder, Reporter | Sports
Tuesday November 12, 2013

DOUBLE BLOCK — From left, Hayden Herc and Declan Pierce go up for a
block during Eden’s loss to Will. South. Photo courtesy of David Eckhardt.

The Lake Shore boys volleyball team lost its entire starting roster from a team that won two consecutive Section VI titles, and advanced to the state championship in 2012.

Replacing that elite lineup wasn’t easy, but the 10th-seeded Eagles found themselves with a chance to reach the semifinals of the Class B playoffs, when they matched up with the second-seeded Raiders of Eden on Oct. 31.

That is where the season would end for a young Lake Shore squad that made strides, this season. Meanwhile, the Raiders fell to Williamsville South in the semifinals, two days later.

Eagles head coach John Coyle, in his 19th season, had a challenging task when the season started, as he worked with players that had little to no experience on a varsity team.

“It was a lot of a feeling-out process,” said Coyle. “It was a lot of ‘who’s going to work here, who’s going to work there, what’s going to work with this rotation?’ We switched our rotation around a half-dozen more times than I wanted to, early in the year.”

This year’s team returned just one player, libero Brad Owens, the only senior in the starting lineup. It finished the regular season with an overall record of 9 – 9 and a 7 – 5 mark in Erie County Interscholastic Conference II play.

Lake Shore upset seventh-seeded North Tonawanda in straight sets in the pre-quarterfinals, setting up the matchup with a familiar foe. Coyle said the playoff win will be helpful going forward, with a young and inexperienced team.

The Eagles relied on Devin Joslyn, a freshman and younger brother of former Eagles standout and 2013 graduate Ryan Joslyn, as their floor captain this year. Coyle said that Joslyn’s experience playing club volleyball was important, as well as his versatility. He was a setter this year and contributed in hitting and passing, as well.

Sophomore Kyle Wishman was another setter for the Eagles who was forced to play all over the floor, throughout the season. Owens added experience he gained from advancing to the state championship a year ago.

The Eagles will look to use this year as a building block for future success.

“To finish over .500 in the division is a big accomplishment for these kids and winning a sectional match is a step forward,” Coyle said.

Western New York 2013 Boy's Top 10 Poll - Final
Buffalo News
Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Historic LHS run concludes
By John D'Onofrio Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
Sunday November 10, 2013

Lockport boys volleyball Lions bow out in state FWR

Lockport junior outside hitter and Niagara Frontier League First Team all-star Brad Schneider (7) drills home a kill during Saturday’s boys volleyball state Far West Regional against Fairport at Midlakes High School in Clifton Springs, N.Y. The Section V-champion Red Raiders defeated the VI-champion Lions in straight sets, 25-12, 25-20, 27-25, to advance to Friday’s state finals in Glens Falls. Other Lockport players pictured at right are Schneider and seniors Jack Whalen (3), Shawn Murray (11), Bryce Perry (2) and Brad Wroblewski (9). Stephen M. Wallace/Contributor

CLIFTON SPRINGS, N.Y. —

A first-ever undefeated Niagara Frontier League championship season and the school’s first-ever Section VI volleyball championship are consolations that Lockport High School can live with.

On Saturday, Lockport’s historic boys volleyball season came to an end with a straight-set loss to Fairport in the 2013 New York State large school Far West Regional at Midlakes High School. The scores were 25-12, 25-20, 27-25.

Head coach Joe Whalen’s Lions finished 12-0 in the NFL and were 25-4 overall, earning their first Section VI Class A title last Wednesday at Hamburg High School with a straight-set win over Frontier. It’s the farthest a Lockport volleyball team has ever gone in the postseason.

Section V’s Fairport earned a FWR berth with a win over three-pete-champion McQuaid last Thursday. Head coach John O’Dell’s Red Raiders now advance to compete in the state tourney finals at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Friday. 

The Lions can look back fondly on their many historic accomplishments.

“I was proud of them before we started, and today, they showed once again that they belonged on that court with the best in New York state,” Whalen said.

“Like I said on Friday, today was gravy on the year. I think everything they envisioned as goals they reached. They rose to the level that they were challenged to get to. They would have loved to win, but they felt they lost to a quality squad. There was still smiles on their faces when we got done. They had a great run and it was an unforgettable experience.”

Middle hitter Jason Donorovich led Lockport with 7 kills and 3 blocks. Fellow junior Brad Schneider added 6 kills for the Lions spikers. Seniors Bryce Perry and Shawn Moore added three and two kills, respectively.

“Their jump serving didn’t turn out to be as much of an issue as I thought it would be,” Whalen said. “In the first game, our front row just didn’t get good positioning. In the second game, I thought we matched up pretty well and we started to impact their game. That game was a lot closer than the score indicates. 

“By the third game we really had the lead, 16-10, and moved ahead by 22-17, then we had a five-point lapse that started with perhaps a bad call — I’m not so sure about that — but we lost some concentration, we missed a few hits and before you know it, they’re back in the game.”

Donorovich, Schneider and LHS senior libero Eamon Yates were recently named NFL First Team all-stars. Following Saturday’s FWR loss, Yates was honored by the NYSPHSAA by being named to the All-State Playoff Team. 

“It was a deserving honor for Eamon. He played great today,” Whalen said.

Lockport, Hamburg Lose In Far West Regionals
Buffalo News
Sunday November 10, 2013

BOYS VOLLEYBALL: Lockport got off to a slow start and lost in straight sets, 25-12, 25-20 and 27-25, to Fairport of Section V in the Class A subregionals.

Meanwhile, Victor-V swept Hamburg, 25-23, 25-22, 25-21, in Class B at Midlakes High in Clifton Springs.

“Our offense wasn’t as potent as usual in the first game. I don’t think it was because we were nervous,” said Lockport coach Joe Whalen. “The boys got into the match in the second game and fought back hard in the third game. If we managed to win that one, I think we could have extended the match to a fifth game.”

Senior defensive ace Eamon Yates had a strong game on the backline for the Lions while Jason Donorovich, a 6-foot-8 junior, had seven kills and 10 blocks. 

“Donorovich forced Fairport to adjust how they were attacking and when that happens it’s a compliment to that player,” Whalen said.

Lockport will take on Fairport today in state FWR
By John D'Onofrio Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
Saturday November 9, 2013

Whalen's boys volleyball Lions taking on a similar type team in many ways.

CLIFTON SPRINGS, N.Y. — 

A pair of high school boys volleyball programs with interesting similarities will meet this afternoon for a chance to advance to the state tournament pool play and finals next Friday.

The Section VI-champion Lockport Lions will take on the Section V-champion Fairport Red Raiders at 4 p.m. today at Midlakes High School in the state’s Far West Regionals. The winner will compete in the state tourney finals at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Nov. 15.

Head coach John O’Dell’s No. 2 Red Raiders made history on Thursday by defeating top-seeded McQuaid 25-21, 26-24, 22-25, 25-22 at Webster Schroeder High School to win the Section V Class A title, their first sectional championship in program history.

Head coach Joe Whalen’s No. 2 Lions also made history this week, claiming their first-ever Section VI Class A title with a straight-set, 25-21, 25-18, 25-21 victory Wednesday over No. 5 Frontier at Hamburg High School.

Fairport, like Lockport, features a senior-laden roster with 12 on the team (The Lions have 11 seniors), led by 6-3 senior setter Mitch Kennedy, who was named Most Valuable Player of the V Tournament, recording 25 assists in the finals.

Topping the Red Raiders in kills against the three-pete-champion Knights were 6-5 junior outside hitter Jamie Wolmering (18 kills) and 6-3 senior middle hitter Josh Holm (14 kills).

Whalen said despite the similarities, there are significant differences in the two programs and two sections for that matter.

“In Section V, they play a much more aggressive serving type of game than we do here in Section VI. Everyone jump serves. We have a lot more float servers in our league and on our team,” said Whalen, who witnessed the V title match in person. “Fairport has a real good serving team. That will be one of our challenges — to meet their serving with good passing. They have some height as well. They don’t have anyone as tall as Jason (Lockport’s 6-8 middle hitter Donorovich), but they have a couple of good players with height.”

Among the keys to victory for the Lions today is getting past Fairport’s strong serving. Lockport is led by First Team All-NFL all-stars Donorovich and Brad Schneider, both juniors, and senior libero Eamon Yates; Second Team All-NFL all-stars Jack Whalen and Bryce Perry, both seniors; and Third Team All-NFL all-stars Shawn Moore and Jonah Ribbeck, also seniors.

“Beyond the serves, if we get onto a hard game and pass their balls fine, we can compete with them and match up with them,” Whalen said. “We’re a better blocking team and they’re a stronger serving team. Wolmering is a cool cookie. He’s good and they’ll go to him a lot. Their setter Kennedy and libero are also good players.

“They’ve got a great program and I enjoyed watching them,” Whalen said. “I told my kids, ‘You don’t get to the state finals by walking by everyone. You have to play the game of your life every match. Don’t assume these guys are going to be a walk in the park.’ “

The Lions will leave by bus at 12:45 p.m. today and arrive at Midlakes about two hours later, Whalen said.

“They’re going to play their hardest,” Whalen said. “These kids appreciate a good squad, but they’re not awed. And they appreciate the experience they’re going through. I’m personally more relaxed for this match than I was for the sectional finals match. Our goal was never to get to states. It was only to get to sectionals and be that team. Everything from here on in is like gravy. From now on, we’re playing for ourselves and we’ll see what happens.”

Sophomore setter, senior leaders help push Hamburg to sectional final
By: Johnathan Snyder, Reporter | Sports
Friday November 8, 2013

Patrick Stroh and Hamburg defeated Williamsville South in four
sets to win a sectional title in Class B. (Photo by David Marino)

After a long and grueling, yet successful regular season, the Hamburg boys volleyball team can officially call themselves champions.

The top-seeded Bulldogs used a third set rally to seize back momentum, and beat the No. 3 seed Williamsville South in four, to capture their first Section VI Class B championship, since 2009.

"It's been a long time," said Hamburg head coach Brian Carroll. "It feels really good. I'm just really happy for the boys. To win a sectional title with a sophomore setter [Ryan Dils], that means the seniors had to step up, the juniors had to step up, and when you win with a sophomore leading your team, it doesn't happen very often."

The teams split the first two sets, and the third proved to be match-changing. With Hamburg leading, 12-7, the Billies rallied for four consecutive points, which led to a Bulldog timeout. Out of the timeout, Hamburg went on a 9-0 run, and finished the game scoring 13 out of the final 17 points, to win 25-15.

"The flood gates opened up," said Carroll about the beginning of the third set run. "We got a few blocks and made them uncomfortable. When we blocked them, they didn't react real well, and the points just came a little easier."

Hamburg won the first game, 25-18, with the Billies firing back with a 25-22 win in the second. After Hamburg flexed its muscles in the third game, the Bulldogs finished off the visiting Billies in the fourth, with a 25-19 victory, which also included a 6-0 run to finish.

Williamsville South head coach Thom Knab thought his team was going to climb out of another hole, like they had all season long, but Hamburg wouldn't allow that to happen. Knab praised the Bulldogs and their ability not to allow the Billies to gain an edge.

"Hamburg is a really, really well-coached, solid team," Knab said. "They're so good at passing, and they're so good defensively, and they have some big hitters that you really have to be focused on. You can't let up, even a little bit."

The Billies, who went undefeated in ECIC play throughout the regular season, were very resilient, said Carroll, and presented a number of different challenges. They finished the season with an overall mark of 24-3, and showed why they were such a tough out this the season.

"They brought a lot of serving," senior captain Trevor Vail said. "They had great serving. Their passing was there and their hitting, they had incredible hitting. We found a way to get through it and battle through."

Junior middle hitter Zach Yerrington and captains Vail and Doug Horbachewski came up with a number of crucial blocks at the net which led to many points throughout the third and fourth games. Carroll noted a block by Yerrington late in the fourth put Hamburg ahead for good.

Dils, the setter and leader on the floor for the Bulldogs, matured throughout the season according to his coaches and teammates. Playing arguably the most difficult and important position on the floor, Dils proved that he was up for any and all challenges, including having a big match in the finals.

"He's gotten so much better from when we started," Yerrington said. "He's improved so much and he's a big part of our team."

The Hamburg faithful stormed the court after the final point was awarded. Although exhausted, players rode their adrenaline while celebrating the victory.

"It feels unbelievable," Horbachewski said. "We worked so hard in the offseason and we came here and did what we were supposed to do — win the championship."

The Bulldogs will travel to Midlakes High School in Clifton Springs for the regional finals on Saturday, Nov. 9, to take on the winner of Victor and Brighton.

Lockport knocks off Frontier; Hamburg advances
By Mary Jo Monnin | News Sports Reporter 
Thursday November 7, 2013

Their uniforms may have said “Lockport,” but the Lions felt their reach extended further.

The Section VI boys volleyball finals tend to showcase the strength of the ECIC, but on Wednesday the Lions flexed the muscle of the Niagara Frontier League in beating Frontier in three games.

The 25-21, 25-18, 25-21 victory in the Class A match ended Lockport’s long wait for its first section title. The last NFL team to win a sectional title was Kenmore West in 2000.

“It’s the first time Lockport has been in the sectionals with the Southtowns and we wanted to show that our program has come a long way and that we can play any of these teams,” said Lockport coach Joe Whalen. “It’s been a while since the NFL has been here. This means a lot to us.”

The Lions (24-3) will play the winner of tonight’s Section V final between McQuaid and Webster on Saturday in a 4 p.m. regional at Midlakes.

Lockport’s Shawn Moore had six kills and seven blocks while Brad Schneider had 13 kills. “Brad is usually my go-to guy and he had a great night, but Shawn played the best match so far this year,” said Whalen. “He blocked great, stayed at the net, and just really controlled things defensively.”

Four-year senior setter Jack Whalen, the program’s career assists leader and son of the coach, predicted Lockport would make the final.

“For Lockport, it was nothing we’ve ever done, and it was everything we’ve ever wanted,” Jack Whalen said. “It was nice to come out here and show a couple of these guys who’s boss. I don’t think they came as prepared as we did. We were hustling the entire game. We came out the first point like we were ready until the last point we were ready.”

The Falcons (9-13) found another gear the past couple of weeks and played themselves into what was their fourth consecutive trip to the final.

“We played with so much emotion for the past week that at some point – we definitely ran out of some steam tonight,” said Frontier coach Bill Faust. “We really had been playing some lockdown defense, tonight I’ve got to hand it to Lockport, they outplayed us in a lot of facets. They earned it.”

Hitting errors and unforced errors robbed Frontier of sustaining any momentum and they also had issues at the net against the Lions’ 6-foot-8 Jason Donorovich and the 6-6 Moore.

Frontier was led by Jake Gleason’s 30 assists and 16 kills from Dylan Durni and 13 by Erik Hatten.

“Just to be here meant a lot, but we have high expectations of our program,” Faust said. “The last four years we’ve been in the dance and we took two of them, but these last two, we let it slip a little bit.”

Class B

Hamburg (26-2) lived up to its No. 1 ranking in Western New York by beating Williamsville South, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15, 25-19. The title was the first for the Bulldogs since 2009. Hamburg will play the Section V champion in the regionals on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Midlakes.

When South tied the match at 1-1, the Bulldogs took it as a chance to refocus. “I wasn’t nervous, it was a little bit of a wakeup call,” said coach Brian Carroll. “Sometimes you need to get smacked in the face a little bit.”

Hamburg’s Trevor Vail kept South on its heels with seven aces. Carroll said Doug Horbachewski made the most of his additional swings.

The Billies ended their season 24-3, including the ECIC II crown at 12-0.

South’s Anthony Podgorsak dominated the net with 19 kills. “He had great passing, a great attack, he’s the heart of the team,” said South coach Thom Knab. “What we were really trying to do is spread it around as much as we could. We struggled a little with passing, so we weren’t always able to do that.” 

email: mmonnin@buffnews.com

Volleyball Hall announces Class of 2013
Buffalo News
Saturday, October 26, 2013

The Western New York boys volleyball Hall of Fame has announced its 2013 class. The class includes coach Thom Knab of Williamsville South, coach Rich Cicero of Sweet Home and volleyball official Peter Weinreich. The induction will take place Nov. 7 at Ilio DiPaolo’s Restaurant in Blasdell.

Knab has been the Billies coach since 1992, compiling a 226-212 record and earning division titles in 1993, 1994 and 2006. Knab said he was both surprised and honored by his selection and he was humbled to included in an Hall the also includes coaching greats Joe Gillespie of Eden, Charlie O’Brien of Cleveland Hill and Joe Foley of Lackawanna. 

Volleyball Magazine's 2013 Boys' Final Club Rankings
Mike Miazga
Friday October 25, 2013

Southern California and Hawaii dominate the boys' club rankings

18s

1 949 18 Black 
The skinny: Ran the table at Junior Nationals with a perfect 11-0 mark. Lucas Yoder named tournament MVP. Won Boys’ Invitational title.

2 Balboa Bay 18 Hurley 
The skinny: Kent Kawaguchi, Jason Willahan, and Jimmy Webb were all-tournament selections in Reno.

3 SCVC 18 Quiksilver 
The skinny: Team won its first eight matches at Junior Nationals. Cole Fiers named all-tournament. Won Holiday Classic and Boys’ Classic titles.

4 MB Surf Nike 18s 
The skinny: Hagen Smith and Casey White named to Junior Nationals’ all-tournament team.

5 Coast 18 Quiksilver 
The skinny: Squad went 9-1 at Junior Nationals. Miles Johnson earned all-tournament honors.

6 The HBC 18 Tyler 
The skinny: Won its first five matches at Junior Nationals. Riley Mallon and Zach Gates named all-tournament. Placed third at Holiday Classic.

7 Ku’Ikahi 18 Roshambo 
The skinny: Finished with an 8-3 record and a top 10 finish at nationals. Took third at Boys’ Invitational.

8 Diablo Truth 18-1 
The skinny: Finished strong in Reno with wins in their final two matches. Placed third at Boys’ Classic.

9 Ultimate 18 Gold 
The skinny: Tied for fifth at nationals and scored win over fellow Chicago-area entrant Adversity. Mitch Weiler named to all-tournament team.

10 Adversity 18 Purple 
The skinny: A 6-3 finish to the season gives the Chicago area two top-ten 18s teams. Carlos Zambrano named to all-tournament team in Reno.

17s

1 Ka Ulukoa M17 Mizuno 
The skinny: Hawaiian team went 11-0 en route to 17 Open crown in Reno. Larry Tuileta named tournament MVP.

2 SCVC 17 Quiksilver 
The skinny: Won nine matches at an extremely competitive Junior Nationals that saw three teams from Puerto Rico finish in the top 17. Vincent Pizzuti, Ian Schwan, and Chase Corbett grabbed all-tournament honors. Placed second in 18s at Holiday Classic.

3 Club Red 17 
The skinny: Arizona-based squad won its first seven matches at Junior Nationals. Billy Andrew named all-tournament.

4 MB Surf Nike 17s 
The skinny: Won six of its first seven matches at Junior Nationals and landed Jacob Tuioti-Mariner on all-tournament team.

5 Coast 17 Quiksilver 
The skinny: Outlasted No. 5 HLVBC in three at nationals, but then lost to them in sudden-death, one-set rematch. Won Junior Boys’ Classic.

6 Balboa Bay 17 Hurley 
The skinny: Won five of first six contests at Junior Nationals. Also won Boys’ Invitational title and took second at Boys’ Classic.

7 HLVBC 17 Nike 
The skinny: Won first five matches in Reno. Chandler Gibb named all-tournament.

8 MVVC 17 Red 
The skinny: Finished strong with five wins in Reno.

9 Yorktowne 17 Blue 
The skinny: Pennsylvania club went 7-3 at Junior Nationals.

10 LIVBC 17 National 
The skinny: Played six three-set matches in Reno.

16s

1 The HBC 16 KC 
The skinny: Went 11-0 in matches and 22-1 in sets en route to Junior Nationals 16 Open title. T.J. DeFalco named tournament MVP. Also swept three key SCVA tournaments.

2013 National Champion HBC-16 KC

2 Balboa Bay 16 Hurley 
The skinny: Junior Nationals runner-up team placed Grant Friedman, Ryan Moss, and Matt Ctvrtlik on all-tournament team.

3 SMBC 16 Black 
The skinny: Finished 7-3 and in third place at nationals. Matt Douglas and Kyle Jasuta tabbed all-tournament.

4 Coastal B16 Navy 
The skinny: Virginia-based entrant went 9-1 in Reno and placed Brett Rosenmeier and Collin Scott on all-tournament team. Took third at Boys’ Invitational.

5 Bones 16 Black SC 
The skinny: Fourth Southern California team in Top 5. Went 6-3 at nationals.

6 Pacific Rim 16-1 
The skinny: Northern California entrant finished 7-2 in Reno. Joe Worsley named to all-tournament team.

7 Ultimate B16 Gold 
The skinny: Chicago-area squad went 6-3 at nationals with Paul Chmura being named all-tournament.

8 SCVC 16 Quiksilver 
The skinny: Overcame a slow start in Reno to win five of six matches. Nolan Sharp earned all-tournament honors.

9 Pace Bootlegger 161 
The skinny: Squad from Rochester, N.Y. Won seven matches at Junior Nationals.

10 Legacy 16 Elite 
The skinny: Started strong with wins in five of first six matches in Reno.

15s

1 SCVC 15 Quiksilver 
The skinny: Won 10 matches and the 15 Open title in Reno. Casey McGarry named tournament MVP.

2013 National Champion SCVC-15 Quiksilver

2 Balboa Bay 15 Hurley 
The skinny: Went 8-3 in Reno with Colin McAllister, Noah Dyer, and Tanner Woods earning all-tournament accolades. Also placed third in 16s division at Holiday Classic.

3 West Allis Lightning B15 
The skinny: Tied for third at nationals and landed Mitchell Pralle and Scott Stadick on all-tournament squad.

4 Pali 15 Nike 
The skinny: Solid 8-2 mark at nationals. 
Scott Stoeckinger and Quentin Haarpainter named all-tournament.

5 949 15 Black 
The skinny: Posted eight wins at Junior Nationals. James Thomas named all-tournament.

6 Pacific Rim 15-1 
The skinny: Won five matches at nationals. Took fifth at Boys’ Invitational and Boys’ Classic.

7 MB Surf Nike 15s 
The skinny: Placed eighth at both Boys’ Invitational and Boys’ Classic.

8 The HBC 15 Adam 
The skinny: Went 8-4 in Reno and placed seventh at Boys’ Invitational.

9 NVVA 15 National 
The skinny: Virginia-based team tied for ninth at nationals.

10 Bay to Bay 15-1 
The skinny: Kyle Bugee named all-tournament at Junior Nationals. 

St. Mary’s boys volleyball's finish as strong as start
By: Mike Pidanick, Metro Source | Sports
Friday October 25, 2013

A fantastic regular season is in the books for the St. Mary’s High School boys volleyball team. Now it’s on to the postseason and the Lancers are hoping to add to this year’s accomplishments with a Monsignor Martin Athletic Association championship. 

After showing it can run with the big boys all season long, St. Mary’s is looking to earn an opportunity to prove what it can do in the state tournament, as well. 

“We’ll have a good week of practice to get ready,” St. Mary’s coach Keith Koch said after the Lancers swept Cardinal O’Hara on Senior Night on Oct. 17. “It’s going to be a challenge but hopefully we can come out and play like we know we can.”

The Lancers will open MMAA postseason play on Oct. 29 against St. Joe’s. It was against those Marauders that St. Mary’s made its presence felt early in the season, knocking off the then-No. 1 team in Western New York in a memorable 25-18, 17-25, 25-23, 25-15 victory. The Lancers proved it was no fluke, sweeping visiting St. Joe’s on Oct. 11. 

That said, the playoffs are a whole new ballgame and St. Mary’s knows it will be in for another challenge. 

“We beat Joe’s twice in the regular season but they are a great team,” Koch said. “It’s going to take our best to be able to beat them in the playoffs.”

Top-seeded Canisius proved to be the biggest challenge for the Lancers, first winning a five-game thriller on Sept. 26. The Crusaders then repeated the feat on Oct. 15, beating the Lancers, this time in a sweep, 25-23, 25-23, 25-13. 

“We didn’t play our best against Canisius (in the second game), so that was a little disappointing,” Koch said. “But it’s only one match and we’ll regroup.”

The Lancers will be led by a number of key seniors coming off strong regular seasons, including hitters Wrobel and Tyler English and Marc Gonzalez. A pair of setters — senior Mark Gonzales and junior Jake Concannon — have also done well directing the offense. 

Hamburg spikers hit stride with tourney titles, win over West
By: Michael J. Petro | Sports
Thursday October 24, 2013

It has been a notable two weeks for the Hamburg boys volleyball team, and head coach Brian Carroll said he thinks he can pinpoint the turning point leading to it.

It was in pool play, during the first of what would become two tournament titles in as many weekends, in a match against Clarence. Carroll’s team trailed 23 – 18 and suddenly, Carroll said the light bulb went on and has stayed on since.

Hamburg went on to win that game 27 – 25 and clawed its way through to a title at the Orchard Park Tournament on Oct. 12, a night after defeating that same Clarence team in an Erie County Interscholastic Conference I divisional match.

BIG SPIKE — Hamburg’s Zach Yerrington lays down a spike as he continued to
lead Hamburg over Lake Shore on Monday. Photo courtesy of Ron Larson.

 

Since then, the Bulldogs have handed West Seneca West its first loss of the division season, to move into a first-place tie at 10 – 1, and captured the Hamburg Tournament as the hosts, on Oct. 19. They won a third and deciding set 15 – 13, to defeat Western New York’s top-ranked Canisius, in the tournament final. 

“We’re really getting there. We’re hitting the right speed at the right time,” said Carroll, whose team begins postseason play next week in Class B. “We’ve really turned the corner and now we’re in a good place.”

Sophomore setter Ryan Dils helped lead Hamburg to its latest hot streak. Carroll said he and Dils’ teammates call the athlete “Junior,” because Dils is playing at least a class ahead of his actual grade.

“He’s really grown up,” Carroll said. “We’ve been waiting for him to get to the level we knew he could play at.”

Dils is getting to set to a strong group of middles and outsides, led by Patrick Stroh and Doug Horbechawski, each of whom were given all-tournament honors at Hamburg. Returners from last season Zach Yerrington and Trevor Vail were also forces, during the Hamburg Tournament.

Carroll said another one of those turning points for his team was in beating West, which had been dominant in division play, throughout the season. Hamburg swept the Indians in three games.

During the Hamburg Tournament, after splitting two sets with Canisius in pool play, the Bulldogs took a long game one 31 – 29 and were on the cusp of a sweep with a 23 – 20 lead in the next game, but Canisius scored 5 unanswered, to force a third game. Hamburg got out to a 4-point lead and held on in game three. The Bulldogs had swept two games from Frontier, during the semifinal.

“When it was all said and done, 2 points separated Canisius and us over about 125 points,” Carroll noted. “That’s really rare that it’s that close.”

During the Orchard Park Tournament, Hamburg had a three-game match in the semifinals with what Carroll called an improving Saint Francis team, before defeating Clarence in three games. Yerrington was most valuable player, while Stroh and Vail made the all-tournament team. Eden finished as a quarterfinalist, dropping a 31 – 29 game to St. Francis. 

School year’s first Athletes of Month named at West
West Seneca Bee
Thursday October 24, 2013

Koehler, a senior on the boys volleyball team, led the team in kills during September with a total of 160 kills in nine games with an overall hitting percentage of .435 percent. He had match-high kills of 29 against Clarence in a five-game victory and 24 versus Canisius in a five-game loss to the top-ranked Crusaders.

Koehler, who us being recruited by several NCAA Division III programs, added 18 aces and 36 blocks over the same nine-game period.

“Evan is a very dynamic offensive player,” coach Brett Widman said. “He swings with a very heavy arm and is a versatile hitter at every position. He is one of the top outside hitters in Section VI and is an effective option when we need a crucial kill. His serving is very consistent and is probably the most effective hitter from the back row in Section VI. Evan has come through many times in tight matches and is always willing to swing for a kill when needed the most.”

Maryvale boys volleyball Excels
Cheektowaga Bee
Thursday, October 24, 2013

Maryvale’s boys volleyball team continued to roar along in ECIC Division III action recently, improving to 8-2 in league play with additional 3-0 victories. 

The Flyers’ two losses to date both came to perennial powerhouse Eden, including a 3-1 setback to the Raiders on Oct. 3. Seniors Tyler Nosal and Wayne Hunzinger were standout performers in that match, according to coach Andrew Murtha, as each contributed strong passing and defense.

Maryvale, which earned some good experience in its recent appearance at the Orchard Park Tournament, is hoping to perform well in this week’s final divisional contests against Cheektowaga (Tuesday) and Depew (Friday). Friday’s contest also serves as the Flyers’ Senior Night contest.

“We have steadily improved each week this season and hope to continue to get better, especially with blocking and defense, just in time to peak for the sectional playoffs,” Murtha said. 

EA boys volleyball squad seeking to maintain good play in postseason
East Aurora Bee
Thursday, October 24, 2013

East Aurora’s boys volleyball team is working to take coach Carl Cordes’ words to heart this season, as the Blue Devils are doing what they can to make this the “cash-in year” that Cordes proclaimed 2013 to be back at the beginning of the season.

“This program has taken a major step forward from where it was in 2012,” Cordes said. “I made a statement at the start of the season that this is a ‘cash-in year’ with all of the talented seniors we have on the roster. Fortunately, we are playing our best volleyball going into the playoffs and are primed to hopefully make a run into November.” 

Efforts like that in the Blue Devils’ 20-25, 11-25, 11-25 loss to Eden Friday are what Cordes points to when proclaiming to his squad that it’s a “cash-in year.” The Blue Devils were able to close a large gap in one game to just five points, 25-20, which Cordes said is the closest differential for a game within an East Aurora-Eden match in years. Front row players Ben Kutina and Thomas Bertoldini, meanwhile, “shut down some of the best hitters in Western New York with great blocking,” according to Cordes.


Brian Willert and Trevor Bentley, meanwhile, “received a standing ovation from the raucous crowd” according to Cordes after they showcased solid serving down the stretch of the Blue Devils’ 25-18, 25-9, 25-5 win over Holland two days earlier. “We dominated that game from start to finish with strong play across the court,” Cordes said.

East Aurora also showed it can swap roles at a moment’s notice depending on the need any given night during its 24-26, 25-20, 20-25, 19-25 loss to Cheektowaga on Oct. 11. The Blue Devils were missing four starters that match, but Cordes said that “players stepped into positions they had never played before and played wonderfully, including passing specialists Sawyer Oubre and Colin Ruhland, and outside hitter turned setter David Yerofeev.”

Another tough four-game loss came Oct. 3 at the hands of Depew. Senior captain Harry Hintz, who had come close to the school’s single-game kill record on several occasions this season, was dominant with double-digit kills from the outside hitter position. Fellow senior hitter Kevin Tierney enjoyed similar success, according to Cordes.

East Aurora closed out its regular season Tuesday at Amherst, but information about that contest was not available at press time. The Blue Devils’ playoff fate was also not yet known when The Bee went to print.

OP Boys volleyball takes down St. Joe’s
Orchard Park Bee
Thursday, October 24, 2013

The boys volleyball team has never lost a match to St. Joe’s, and that continued with a hard-fought four-set victory on Oct. 8, 26-24, 11-25, 25-16, 25-19. At the time, St. Joe’s was ranked as the number two school in the Western New York Coaches Poll.

“After a split the first two games, our young team was able to chase St. Joe’s out of the gym,” said head coach Matt Lexner.

Martin Hackford provided nine kills, five blocks and two service aces in the match, while sophomore Jason Manley added six kills, three blocks and five aces.

Orchard Park followed that up with another impressive win against arch rival and number five-ranked Frontier in straight sets on Oct. 11.

“Those two huge wins have sparked a new attitude,” said Lexner.

However, the team dropped a match to Lancaster on Tuesday in straight sets, 16-25, 11-25, 23-25.

The Quakers have now broken into the top 10, ranked number nine in WNY with a 3-9 league record.

Success comes with size, experience for Lions’ boys volleyball
By: Tom Gallagher, Reporter | Sports
Wednesday October 23, 2013

When asked about his team’s success in the Niagara Frontier League this season, Lockport boys volleyball coach Joe Whalen raised a question of his own.

“Do you see how much size we have in the middle?,” he asked.

It’s hard not to see. At press time, the Lions were 9-0 in Niagara Frontier League play and 13-3 overall due in large part to size.

The average height of Lockport’s 16 players is over 6-foot-1 and only five of them stand under 6-foot. The team’s middle, junior Jason Donorovich, towers over opposing players at 6-foot-8. His backup, senior Shawn Moore, is 6-foot-6.

“We like to play two feet above the net when other teams are blocking a foot above the net,” said setter Jack Whalen, Joe’s son. “We literally want to be a step ahead of all the other teams and when we have a 6-foot-8 and a 6-foot-6 guy, it’s pretty easy.”

The Lions run a deceptive offense led by Jack Whalen, who sets his rangy hitters up for easy kills with regularity. Most of the Lions’ kills come from Donorovich. 

“I’ve never set to someone that tall that’s going to hit it that hard,” Jack Whalen said. “And I don’t think I’m the best setter but I’ve been playing volleyball a long time and working together with him makes a pretty good combo.”

Donorovich agreed, saying “It’s a lot of fun [playing with Jack Whalen] because he knows exactly where to put the ball every time I’m up. He really knows what to do, is really experienced and good at controlling everybody and telling everybody what to do.”

Jack Whalen does his job so well, in fact, that his father doesn’t pay him much attention on the court. 

“Jack gets to all the balls,” Joe Whalen said. “I always expect him to get to the ball and do what he has to do. So a lot of times I’m not paying attention to what he’s doing in his game because he’s consistent.”

Brad Schneider and Moore are also key hitters for the team. Eamon Yates holds the squad down defensively at libero while Bryce Perry and Jonah Ribbeck see floor time for the Lions. 

Joe Whalen noted that in addition to size, the Lions’ success is because they’re an experienced group. Of the team’s 16 players, 11 are seniors, and several of them play for different volleyball clubs throughout Western New York.

Also, some have been playing for Whalen since they were freshman — Perry, Yates and Jack Whalen are in their fourth varsity season, while seven others are in their third season, having been up since they were sophomores.

“With that kind of experience, they’ve been out here so long that nothing is really affecting them,” the elder Whalen said. “They’re used to playing at that level. This is the year we’re supposed to be good, with that kind of experience.”

Captained by Jack Whalen and Yates, the Lions have also had success in non-league matches. They’ve won tournaments at North Tonawanda and Williamsville South and were in the semifinals of a tournament at Clarence. 

Their only losses have come against fellow Section VI powers Clarence, St. Joe’s and Williamsville South. “They were all close matches. There’s no shame in it,” Joe Whalen noted.

The team’s dominance has certainly put a target on its back. Entering the second half of regular-season action, Whalen will try to convince his players not to let up.

“I try to explain to them that we’ve done nothing,” he said. “We still have the whole month to go. They need to refocus every day and not sit back on their goals. I’m sure we’re a target — they want to come in here and play their best game.”

Donorovich said that staying on top of their game is just a matter of hard work in practice and in games. He wants the team to set goals for itself every practice and move onto new ones when they accomplish them. 

Jack Whalen expressed confidence in the team’s ability to reach those goals and its ultimate one: a Niagara Frontier League title.

Iroquois boys volleyball wins first match during rebuild year
By: Mike Pidanick, Metro Source | Sports
Wednesday October 23, 2013

It’s a rebuilding year for the Iroquois High School boys volleyball team, which was forced to replace nine graduating seniors from last year’s club. The Chiefs feature an eighth-grader in the starting lineup and just one senior on the nine-man roster. 

It’s been a tough go for the Chiefs as they learn on the fly against some difficult competition, but in early October their hard work was finally rewarded with victory No. 1 on the season.

“It’s our first win of the season and I hope there are going to be a lot more,” junior middle hitter Will Taber said after a sweep of Holland on Oct. 10. “We’re getting a lot better.”

The Chiefs dropped their first 10 matches to start the season before getting into the win column. And Iroquois hopes that win over Holland is the start of things to come. 

“That’s certainly a positive for us,” coach Mark Schlabach said. “Obviously there still are things we can work on, serve receive, passing and some other stuff. But it’s nice to see these guys get a win. They work hard in practice so it was good to see that finally pay off a little bit.”

Iroquois has some big shoes — literally — to fill from last year. Among those lost to graduation were 6-foot-6 senior middle hitter David Tharnish and 6-5 senior outside and middle hitter Alex Popovski.

Iroquois does have some solid hitters, including Taber and junior outside hitter Matt Hiam, who “covers a lot of ground for us,” Schlabach said. Senior outside hitter Josh Hanley is also having a nice season. 

The man in the middle of the Chiefs’ attack is the youngest player on the team. Eighth-grade setter Zach Popovski has shown steady improvement and that’s a big reason for the better play for Iroquois. 

“He’s getting there,” Schlabach said. “That’s a lot to ask of an eighth-grader to run a varsity offense, but he’s doing pretty well for us.”

Ben Lang is the lone senior on the roster for the Chiefs, who also count on a pair of freshmen in outside hitters John Weremblewski and Austin Besch.

“We’re rebuilding, but we’re getting better every day in practice,” Schlabach said. Every contact we make we want it to count.”

Whalen guides 6-4 Niagara Wheatfield volleyball
By: Tom Gallagher, Reporter | Sports
Wednesday October 23, 2013

Kevin Whalen has played against a Jim Proefrock-coached volleyball team in the past. The 25-year-old was a member of the Lockport volleyball team in the mid-2000s and faced Proefrock’s Niagara-Wheatfield squad several times. 

He doesn’t find it strange that he’s coaching in place of him now. 

Due to an injury suffered by Proefrock late in the summer, the longtime Falcons’ coach forfeited his position for the season to Whalen, who was hired as the junior varsity coach last year. Whalen has led the team to a 6-4 record in the Niagara Frontier League (7-6 overall) so far this year.

“I think I respect him more as a coach by playing against him and the teams that he’s coached,” Whalen said of Proefrock. “This would have been his 12th year. He’s earned my respect coaching next to him seeing what he can do.”

Whalen’s roots in Niagara Frontier volleyball run deep. His father, Joe, is the head coach at Lockport, where his brother, Jack, is a setter. His coach in high school was his cousin, Chris Niver. Coming from a volleyball family, he developed a passion for coaching.

His first gig was as the modified girls coach for Chittenango Middle School in Syracuse, N.Y. When he caught wind of the junior varsity opening at Niagara-Wheatfield, he called the school and offered to take on the job.

Lending credence to his passion for coaching is Whalen’s commute from work to practice. A biology teacher at Lancaster High School, he makes the trek to Sanborn almost daily.

“It’s a long drive every day but the players keep it fun and worthwhile,” Whalen said.

That worthwhile feeling is mutual among the players. For some seniors, while transitioning to a new coach was different at first, senior setter and co-captain Austin Hayes said the players have responded to Whalen.

“It was pretty weird because for the past couple of years we’ve got to know Coach Proefrock’s strategy of how to play volleyball and we go to know what he expects,” Hayes said. “It was a whole different story because Coach Whalen has a different way of coaching volleyball.

“It was a very different mix-up of things but we got used to it and learned. He’s our coach now.”

Hayes has been a key player for the Falcons. The setter for the team’s 5-1 offense, he and fellow co-captain Joe Kelly have been consummate leaders on the senior-laden squad.

“Having those guys made the transition so smooth,” Whalen said. “I can go to them. They help keep other kids in line. They’ve been rocks.”

Kelly leads the back row, which both Whalen and Hayes agree is the team’s strength. Bolstered by senior Dylan Cobernus and juniors Michael Jacob and Albert Lewis, the defense has kept the Falcons in games against a slew of powerful opponents, including Lockport, Grand Island, St. Joe’s and Lancaster.

“One of the things that keeps us alive is our defense,” Whalen said. “Anyone on the court can pick up a ball. The defense has been excellent coming down the final stretch.”

“Everyone on the team is scrappy and we get up every ball that they hit over,” Hayes added. “We all try to dive and lay out for the ball.”

Offensively, Hayes has good chemistry with 6-foot-4 right-side hitter Tristin Ingalsbe. Whalen has liked the way Ingalsbe’s game has progressed.

“He’s come up the furthest with his hits and he’s our go-to guy now,” he said. “He’s got chemistry with Hayes, they run quick stuff and he’s just been pounding the ball so I think when teams come to play against us, they’re playing against him.”

The Falcons have also gotten regular contributions from a pair of middles, Sam Mattheus and Dan Ball. Whalen said Mattheus is very good at running a slide. He called Ball a “blocking maniac.”

Whalen noted that the team doesn’t have a real weakness, and as such, every player brings something positive to the floor. He said the Falcons’ mental game has come a long way since the beginning of the season. Hayes said that will help them accomplish their goal.

“Our goal was to be in the top three (in the NFL) because our team is full of seniors and we’ve been working so hard to get up to this point,” he said. 

The Falcons’ pursuit of a top three finish is still in motion. At press time, they had two games left on their league schedule — irst-place Lockport and third-place North Tonawanda. 

The Lumberjacks still have to face second-place Grand Island. If they lose to both the Vikings and Falcons, Whalen’s club has a chance at accomplishing its goal.

South boys volleyball wins Grand Island Tourney
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Williamsville South’s boys volleyball team dug itself a hole against West Seneca West in the final of the Grand Island Tournament Saturday, but the Billies climbed out to record a 22-25, 25-22, 25-18 victory.

“We have a tendency to dig ourselves a hole,” South coach Thom Knab said. “In the second game, we were down and they started to get on each other, so I called a timeout and told them ‘don’t look at each other but to each other.’ They started playing more as a team and encouraging each other and pulled it out.”

The first game of the final was the only game the Billies lost the entire tournament.


South went 6-0 in pool play, beating Niagara-Wheatfield, 25-20, 25-19, Kenmore West, 25-17, 25-6 and O’Hara, 25-10, 25-7, defeated West Seneca West, 25-17, and St. Mary’s of Lancaster, 25-22, in round robin play and Grand Island, 25-18, 31-29, in the semifinals. 

South is 19-2 overall.

Tournament MVP Anthony Podgorsak recorded 49 kills over 13 games.

All-Tournament Team selection Steve Zaprowski posted 17 service aces.

Christian Graziano added 20 blocks and Joe Zanelotti had 148 assists.

Knab also noted the play of right side hitter Ryan Nigro, libero Kenny Stuber and middle hitter Austin Baker.

South is 19-2 overall with their only two losses coming to Lockport.

The Billies are 11-0 in ECIC II and can wrap an undefeated league season against Williamsville East Tuesday, but information about the match was unavailable before press time.

South won the first meeting, 23-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-23 Oct. 15.

South hosts Clarence Thursday in the team’s annual “Dig Pink” game for breast cancer research. South and Clarence players will wear pink shoelaces, South players will wear pink socks, the court will be lined with pink, and both teams will play with a pink, white and black ball.

North girls knock off NT
Amherst Bee
October 23, 1013

Williamsville North’s girls volleyball team picked up a big non-league home win over Niagara Frontier League champion North Tonawanda, 29-27, 25-21, 25-20, Monday. It was the Lady Spartans’ fourth consecutive win.

“It was a good victory for us,” North coach Keith Hopkins said.

Lauren Schreiner (12 kills), Noelle Gulick (11 kills) and Elise Hopkins (12 service points) paced the Lady Spartans.

Previous wins last week came over Immaculata, 25-19, 25-18, 25-16 Wednesday and West Seneca West, 25-17, 25-18, 25-22 Friday.

Kailee Terrance recorded 17 service points against Immaculata and Schreiner (13 kills), Gulick (seven kills) and Lauren Curtis (six kills) led North against West Seneca West.

The Lady Spartans also lost to Randolph, 30-27, in the quarterfinals of the silver bracket of the North Tonawanda Tournament. North led 20-15 and was outscored 15-7 for the rest of the match. In pool play, North split with Randolph, beat Wilson and lost to Lockport and Sweet Home.

Coach Hopkins credits a lot of the team’s recent turnaround to a consistent attack on offense.

“In the last two weeks, we have gotten a consistent attack going,” coach Hopkins said. “Sophomore middle hitters Noelle Gulick and Lauren Curtis are starting to make their presence known, which has opened some things up for our outside hitters. Becky Mann had been bombing balls on the right side.”

North played Williamsville East Tuesday, but information about the match was unavailable before press time.

East finishes second in ECIC II
Amherst Bee
Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Williamsville East boys volleyball coach Mike Braunscheidel was hoping his team would play better as the season progressed, and they have.

The Flames sit in second place in ECIC II with a 9-2 record and 12-4 overall record.

“We hit a lull at the end of September to early October where we were not playing really well, but we continued to gain experience and squeak out some wins,” Braunscheidel said. “Our defense has improved and our offense has been consistent.”


East has played well during the past two weeks, beating Lake Shore for the first time ever, 25-22, 25-23, 25-18, Oct. 9 and downing Sweet Home, 25-23, 22-25, 26-24, 25-23, Oct. 10, and 25-23, 20-25, 25-22, 25-18 Friday to earn second place in the league.

The Flames also played tough against ECIC II champion Williamsville South, 25-23, 22-25, 22-25, 23-25, Oct. 15. The rematch was Tuesday at South, but information about the match was unavailable before press time.

Senior outside hitter Mike Wisniewski – the team leader in kills - was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Sweet Home and Williamsville South Tournament.

Junior setter Pat Irving was named to the All-Tournament Team at the South Tournament.

The Flames have also had consistent play from senior Alex Wehrlin and junior Cort Williams (middle hitters), senior Eric Marecki (outside hitter), Irving and juniors Matt Millace (setter), Dylan Cicero (libero), Kyle Williams and Joe Adcock (weak side blockers).

East will play in the Section VI Class B quarterfinals on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

St. Joe’s volleyball Defeats Canisius
Ken-Ton Bee
Wednesday, October 23, 2013

The Marauders defeated the number one team in Western New York, Canisius, in a thrilling five-set match.

St Joe’s won the first two games, 25-19 and 25-16. But Canisius came on strong the next two sets, winning 17-25, 19-25.

In the deciding fifth game, St. Joe’s rebounded nicely and pulled out the victory, 25-19.

Kyle Kirchberger had a strong match at the net, registering 21 kills and 10 blocks. Brad Kreppel also played well, adding 10 kills and 26 digs.

Light week sees Clarence boys volleyball team finish on wrong side of 3-2 decision
Clarence Bee
Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Clarence gave its best effort Wednesday, Oct. 16, in its bid to prevent West Seneca West’s boys volleyball team from posting a perfect divisional record this season, but in the end the Red Devils’ best wasn’t enough that night as they fell to the Indians, 25-21, 21-25, 25-20, 20-25, 23-25.

West — which ultimately lost to Hamburg two nights later to finished tied for the league title with an 11-1 mark — trapped Clarence in a couple of bad rotations, with the Red Devils lead 8-1 in the fourth game, which helped the Indians even the match out at two games each. The Indians, who also beat Clarence in five games earlier this season, jumped out to an early lead in the decisive game, but the Red Devils were able to chip away to have a shot in the end. Unfortunately, according to coach Kevin Starr, Clarence was called for some ball handling violations within the final three points.

“We knew when the season started that West was going to be at the top of the league, but this loss was extra tough because we had a two games to one lead on them,” Starr said. “West serves very, very well, and we just weren’t able to run our offense effectively. We were able to neutralize their two big hitters much better this time than we had the first time we played, so we like our chances if we see them again.”


Outside hitters Brandon Hill and Dale Payne had big nights for Clarence, with 15 and 14 kills, respectively. Middle hitter Ted Okon had eight blocks.

Clarence returned to action Tuesday with its Senior Night match against Frontier, but information about that contest was not available at press time. The Red Devils close out their regular season Thursday at Williamsville South for the Billies’ “Dig Pink” match to benefit breast cancer research. Admission that night is $1, with all proceeds going to the cause.

In related news, Clarence’s JV boys volleyball team won at Williamsville East Thursday to give coach David Grabowski his 300th career win. Starr said that as far as he can ascertain, no JV coach in Western New York has ever approached such a milestone.

“Dave and I have coached together for 22 years, and almost every boy in our program has played for him before coming up to the varsity,” Starr said. “It was a JV-only match that he hit the milestone in, but the varsity team was there to share the win with him.”

Western New York 2013 Boy's Top 10 Poll - 10/22/13
Buffalo News
Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Garbacz makes transition to heading Depew boys volleyball
By: Mike Pidanick, Metro Source | Sports
Monday October 21, 2013

Lindsay Garbacz wasn’t completely sure what she was getting into when she took the varsity head coaching position for the Depew boys volleyball team. But as the season progresses, things couldn’t be going much better for the new coach and her Wildcats. 

“At first when they told me I could have the job, I didn’t know how the boys would respond to having a female coach,” Garbasz said. “But you know what? They’re respectful, they hustle for me and I think right now we have a pretty good relationship. “

It’s shown on the court as well. After winning just four games all of last season, Depew had its fifth win by the end of September this season. 

While Garbacz is pleased with her team’s success, it was something she could see coming from the outset. 

I knew they had the potential to be good, so I wouldn’t necessarily say they’re surprising me,” she said. “They’re hustling and giving 110 percent every time.”

The Wildcats have also responded well to the first-year coach. A former standout athlete at Lancaster High School, Garbasz has previously served as the varsity girls volleyball coach at Tonawanda High School. 

“She’s working out great for us,” senior outside hitter Matt Federowicz said. “She’s taught us a lot of new plays; we’re doing a lot of new things on defense. It’s been a great season.”

Depew moved to 6-2 with a five-set ECIC-III win at rival Cheektowaga. The only two losses came to powerhouse Eden and a perennial-strong team in Maryvale. 

“We’re doing a lot better than last year,” said senior defensive specialist Matt Nichy, the other co-captain. “We’re doing a lot more plays, running a lot faster offense.” 

Federowicz, as a co-captain, leads a strong group of hitters that also includes junior Matt Wagner on the outside and senior Chris Karnyski in the middle. Junior setter Dylan Haak has also stepped up as a leader on and off the court and Nichy has excelled as a defensive specialist.

“These guys came into the season ready to learn,” Garbacz said. “They’re like sponges soaking up knowledge of the game. And I couldn’t ask for more hustle.”

Hamburg volleyball nets another win
Buffalo News 
Sunday, October 20, 2013

Hamburg’s boys volleyball success on Saturdays continued as the Bulldogs won their own Hamburg Tournament, beating Canisius in a tight final. Five of the eight teams in the eighth annual event are ranked among the top 10 in the WNY Coaches poll.

The Bulldogs and Canisius were evenly matched evidenced by the scores in the final, 31-29, 23-25, 15-13. Canisius fought back in the second set, scoring the last four points to win.

“They blocked us and they forced us into hitting errors because of the defensive pressure they put on us,” said Hamburg coach Brian Carroll.

The third game was just as close as the first two with seldom more than two points separating the teams. “It was very close and the games were played at a very high level,” said Carroll. “The third game was just a toss-up. When it’s only to 15 points, whoever comes out the gate the fastest has a big advantage.”

It was a rematch of last year’s final won by Canisius. Hamburg added the title to victories at Orchard Park, Sweet Home, and it was a finalist at Clarence. Sophomore setter Ryan Dils of Hamburg was named tournament MVP. Hamburg improved to 19-2.

Will South Wins Grand Island
Buffalo News 
Sunday, October 20, 2013

Anthony Podgorsak earned MVP honors as Williamsville South beat defending champion West Seneca West to win the Grand Island Invitational. The 12th annual event included 12 teams.

Podgorsak, a senior outside hitter, showed what he could do on defense as well as offense. “He was the best all-around player for them,” said tournament director Bill Schultz of Grand Island. “He played good defense and was an offensive threat in the front row from the left side. He was digging a lot of balls and putting it away for them.”

Earning berth on the all-tournament team were: Steve Zaprowski of South, Evan Koehler of West Seneca West, Nick Clancy of West Seneca West and Kyle Burns of Grand Island.

Grand Island Tournament Results
Buffalo News 
Saturday, October 19, 2013

Team
12th Grand Island Tournament Finals Wmsv. South 22-25-25, W.S. West 25-22-18 Semifinals W.S. West 31-25, N. Tonwanda 29-20 Wmsv. South 25-31, Grand Island 18-29 Round Robin Play N. Tonawanda 25, Grand Island 22 N. Tonawanda 25, Nia.-Wheatfield 17 Grand Island 25, Nia.-Wheatfield 14 Wmsv. South 25, W.S. West 17 Wmsv. South 25, St. Mary’s 22 W.S. West 25, St. Mary’s 21 Pool A St. Mary’s 18-25, Grand Island 25-23 St. Mary’s 25-25, W.S. East 19-20 St. Mary’s 25-25, N. Tonawanda B 19-18 Grand Island 25-25, W.S. East 20-23 Grand Island 25-25, N. Tonawanda B 11-14 N. Tonawanda B 25-25, W.S. East 19-13 Pool B W.S. West 25-25, N. Tonawanda A 14-21 W.S. West 25-25, East Aurora 13-13 W.S. West 25-25, Niagara Falls 10-15 N. Tonawanda A 25-25, East Aurora 9-10 N. Tonawanda A 25-25, Niagara Falls 13-14 Niagara Falls 25-25, East Aurora 14-12 Pool C Wmsv. South 25-25, Nia.-Wheatfield 20-19 Wmsv. South 25-25, Kenmore West 17-6 Wmsv. South 25-25, O’Hara 10-7 Nia.-Wheatfield 25-25, Ken West 13-19 Nia.-Wheatfield 25-25, O’Hara 15-13 Ken West 25-19, O’Hara 20-25 

Individual
MVP: Anthony Podgorsak (Wmsv. South) All Tournament: Steve Zaprowski (Wmsv. South), Evan Koehler (W.S. West), Nick Clancy (W.S. West), Kyle Burns (Grand Island).

Hamburg Tournament Results
Buffalo News 
Saturday, October 19, 2013

Team
Finals Hamburg 31-23-15, Canisius 29-25-13 Semifinals Hamburg 25-25, Frontier 20-23 Canisius 25-25, St. Joe's 20-12 POOL A St. Francis 25-25, Maryvale 20-17 Hamburg 25-25, Canisius 17-21 St. Francis 23-16, Hamburg 25-25 Maryvale 20-8, Canisius 25-25 St Francis 14-13, Canisius 25-25 Maryvale 10-8, Hamburg 25-25 POOL B St Joe's 25-25, Cheektowaga 13-7 Lancaster 25-25, Frontier 9-13 Frontier 26-18, St. Joe's 24-25 Lancaster 25-25, Cheektowaga 14-20 St Joe's 25-25, Lancaster 12-20 Frontier 25-25, Cheektowaga 13-10 

Individual
MVP: Ryan Dils (Ham) All tournament: Jay Baumann (Lancaster), Neil Conway (SJ), Brian Costello (Can), Trevor Gooch (Can), Doug Horbachewski (Ham), Patrick Stroh (Ham).

Hamburg boys spikers best Frontier in four
By: Johnathan Snyder, Reporter | Sports
Thursday, October 17, 2013

It is always a battle, whenever Frontier and Hamburg get together for a sporting event.

A lot was on the line Oct. 9, as boys volleyball teams from each school went toe-to-toe in a battle of Western New York-ranked teams near the top of Erie County Interscholastic Conference Division I.

The fourth-ranked Bulldogs got the best of Frontier, which is seventh in the coaches’ poll, in a four-set win. Hamburg, which improved to 7 – 1 in ECIC Division I play – one game behind West Seneca West – pulled away in the third and fourth sets, after Frontier tied the match in game two. 

The two-hour match took a toll on both teams and, with the most important games of the season still ahead, conditioning is in the minds of both coaches and players.

“We did enough to win tonight but, if we want to save our legs for the rest of the season, we have to learn to be more focused,” said Hamburg head coach Brian Carroll, who is in his 18th season at the helm. “It’s not just our team. Any team, at this point in the season, [wants] to win in three [sets] and get those games done, so you have your legs at the end of the season.”

Hamburg won the first set 27 – 25, before Frontier came back in the second and handled the Bulldogs 25 – 19. Hamburg was able to capitalize on some unforced errors and regain control of the match, winning the final two sets 25 – 19 and 25 – 21.

“Our passing broke down and we made a lot of unforced errors,” said Frontier head coach Bill Faust, about his team’s play in the third set. “Hamburg was kind of put back into a box and fought their way out.”

Hamburg got play from serving specialist Matt Touris, who came in and delivered five serves that allowed his team to build a sizable lead and pull away.

“He’s probably the smallest role on the team today, but he had the biggest part,” Carroll said. “He made five serves and had five digs, after the serve.”

Junior’s Zach Yerington and Doug Horbachewski also played decisive roles for Hamburg, during the match. Yerington came up with several plays that kept momentum in Hamburg’s favor, often off of passes from Horbachewski.

Frontier was without Dylan Durni, a Second-Team All Western New York selection, who is nursing an upper-body injury. He has been out the last two weeks and Faust said he expects him to miss another week at least, but is hopeful he will return soon after that, for the playoffs.

During that athlete’s absence, different players, who normally do not see as much action, have gotten more playing time.

“I am pleased with how we’re playing without him and I expect us to be that much better when he returns,” Faust said. “We’re learning to play very tough without him and I think we relied way too much on him, so we’re learning to play and win without him.”

Frontier Middle’s Tom Stoklosa and Pat Quinlivan have stepped up in extended roles, as well as Erik Hatten.

Hamburg will host a boys varsity tournament at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, which will feature some local and regional competition. The Bulldogs won last weekend's Orchard Park Tournament. The postseason will get underway soon after. Hamburg will compete in Class B, while Frontier looks to return back to the Class A final.

Eden Volleyball Spiking Foes
By: Sun Staff | Sports 
Thursday, October 17, 2013

Photo courtesy of Ron Larson

Hayden Herc knocks down a spike in a recent match. Eden has once again finished atop ECIC Division III and been competitive in tournaments as they ready for a potential Class B postseason run.

St. Mary’s boys volleyball wins consecutive matches
by BRANDON KILIJANSKI Reporter 
Thursday, October 17, 2013

Last week, the Lancers won back-to-back Monsignor Martin League volleyball matches against St. Joe’s and St. Francis on back-to-back days.

On Wednesday, St. Mary's defeated St. Joe’s— who at the time was ranked as the number two team in the Western New York Coaches poll — in straight sets, 25-16, 25-19, 25-23. The victory completed a regular-season sweep for the Lancers against St. Joe's.

St. Mary’s middle blockers dominated the match, as Tyler English racked up 16 kills and three blocks, while Matt Wrobel registered 11 kills and four blocks.

To help seal the victory, Austin Klink made key plays down the stretch and added five kills with two blocks.

“We were solid in all phases of the game and played with a great deal of confidence to defeat a very talented St. Joe’s team,” said head coach Keith Koch.

The next day, St. Mary's held on for a hard-fought, four-set victory against St. Francis 19-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-20.

Again it was the two senior middle blockers, English and Wrobel, who took control of the net. English had 18 kills and three blocks, and Wrobel had 15 kills and five blocks.

Outside hitter Marc Gonzalez provided the intensity and leadership necessary to defeat St. Francis on the road, adding seven kills and 12 digs.

Setter Jake Concannon ran a very efficient offense, finishing with 42 assists.

The two victories improved St. Mary's record to 5-1 in league play this season.

Knab humbled by volleyball hall of fame selection
by PATRICK J. NAGY
Wednesday October 16, 2013

When Thom Knab was informed he was selected for induction into the 2013 Western New York Boys Volleyball Hall of Fame, a range of emotions flooded his mind.

“I was very surprised and honored to receive it and humbled knowing the coaches who have been inducted ahead of me like Joe Gillespie (Eden), Charlie O’Brien (Cleveland Hill) and Joe Foley (Lackawanna),” said Knab, Williamsville South’s boys volleyball coach.

Knab, an Iroquois graduate, will be inducted at a banquet on Thursday, Nov. 7, at Illio DiPaolo’s Restaurant in Blasdell. Also earning induction will be Rich Cicero (Sweet Home) and Peter Weinreich (volleyball official).

Coach Thom Knab

Dennis Gooch, WNY Volleyball Hall of Fame chairperson, said in a letter to Knab that he was selected “as a result of the impact you have made on the game of high school boys volleyball in Western New York and the many student athletes, coaches and officials whose lives you have touched.”

Knab has served as a great ambassador the WNY volleyball community during the past 30 years.

He has been South’s varsity boys volleyball coach since 1992, amassing a 226-212 record. His teams earned division titles in 1993, 1994 and 2006.

Before coaching at South, Knab had a six-year stay at Clarence from 1984 to 1989 and started Holland’s boys volleyball program in 1990.

Knab also started the Clarence Tournament in 1987 and the Williamsville South Tournament in 1992.

Knab also was an ECIC chairperson from 1990 to 1994, New York State Section VI chairperson from 1995 to 1997 and president of the WNY Volleyball Coaches Association from 1994 to 2006.

He also was an assistant coach for the Empire State Games men’s scholastic volleyball team in 1989 and 1990.

Knab said he is most proud of when former players go into coaching. Former players who are coaching include Spencer McIntyre (South JV boys volleyball), Tom Sproull (South varsity girls volleyball) and Mike Lucia (Cicero-North Syracuse varsity boys basketball).

Knab, an art teacher at Dodge Elementary since 1990, is also president of the New York State Art Teachers Association.

WSW pulls out five-set win
Buffalo News 
Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Third-ranked West Seneca West overcame a flat start and inconsistent play to earn a five-set win over No. 5 Clarence in ECIC I boys volleyball.

After winning two of the first three sets, Clarence jumped out to an 8-1 lead in the fourth. But West Seneca West got going.

“We slowly clawed our way back to 13-13,” West Seneca West coach Brett Widman said. “It wasn’t pretty, but we started getting better passing and then we went on a roll.”

The Indians won that game, 25-20, then took advantage of a Clarence miscue to earn a 25-23 win in the deciding fifth game.

“Tonight was big ups and big downs,” Widman said. “It was just inconsistent for both teams. We did not play our best, but it says a lot that we were down 8-1 and were able to come back and tie it.”

Senior Dan Feeney had 11 digs and five aces while senior Josh Lund came off the bench in the second game to play the middle and had several key blocks.

West Seneca West improved to 12-2 overall.

Crusaders on target
Buffalo News 
Wednesday, October 16, 2013

No. 1 ranked Canisius hit at almost a .400 percentage (.393) and swept St. Mary’s in straight sets (25-23, 25-23 and 25-13) to clinch at least a tie for the Monsignor Martin Association boys volleyball title. 

“The first set was close. We survived and really played well in the second and third sets,” said Canisius coach Tom Weislo.

Trevor Gooch had 17 kills for the Crusaders. Senior Brendan Blake hit .500 with 10 kills and freshman Griffin Schmidt had seven kills for a .778 percentage.

Clarence Boys volleyball downs Lancaster, falls twice to Hamburg in under 24 hours
Clarence Bee
Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Clarence’s boys volleyball team won a classic five-game defensive battle with Lancaster Wednesday, but Hamburg proved to be an entirely different beast as the Red Devils lost to the Bulldogs in league play Friday before falling to them again in the finals of the Orchard Park Tournament not even 24 hours later.

After winning two of the first three games (28-26, 22-25, 25-19) against Lancaster, and after taking an 18-9 lead in the fourth game, Clarence saw its chances at winning narrow after allowing the Redskins to go on a 16-4 run the rest of the game to fall, 22-25.

“That was a monumental collapse on our part — the kind that can get into a team’s psyche and mess up the next game,” coach Kevin Starr said.

Senior middle hitter Ted Okon helped put the decision away in the fifth game, however, picking up one of his 15 kills for the match to close out the contest. Okon added eight blocks. Senior outside hitters Dale Payne and Brandon Hill each added 10 kills, while senior setter Skyler Reinhardt and junior Matt Dempsey “are both doing a great job of quarterbacking the offense,” according to Starr. “They get more in synch with our hitters with each match.” 

“This really was just another epic ECIC Division I match, and both teams deserve tons of credit for a fantastic fifth game,” Starr said. “Clarence and Lancaster are two of the top defensive teams in Western New York. As any coach will tell you, defense wins matches, and in this one, both teams were blasting the ball — but both teams were also digging the hits up.”

Clarence then took on Hamburg for the fourth time this season on Friday, and as was the case in the earlier league clash and the finals of the Sweet Home Tournament, Hamburg came out on top, 19-25, 25-22, 15-25, 11-25. Clarence “dug holes for ourselves” in games three and four, Starr said, “and our passing was as bad as it’s been all season.” In the end, those slow starts and the Red Devils’ inability to adjust well enough defensively proved to be their downfall.

“Hamburg has been our toughest opponent this year, and they were just too much for us in this one,” Starr said. “Not adjusting well on defense was a disappointment. Until this match, they’ve responded very well to the adjustments that I’ve asked them to make. This took us out of our offensive game plan, and Hamburg was able to capitalize.”

Clarence then returned to action the next morning with its participation in the annual Orchard Park Tournament. The Red Devils swept Lake Shore and St. Francis in pool play to set up a showdown with Hamburg for first place in the pool. Despite a similar outcome (26-28, 23-25 defeat), Starr was encouraged by his team’s play against the Bulldogs.

“We played them very evenly in pool play,” Starr said of the Hamburg pool play match. “We knew that if the playoffs went the way we thought they might, we’d have another crack at them in the finals.”

Things played out just as Starr and the Red Devils had hoped they would, with Clarence topping the host team in the quarterfinals and then St. Joe’s — the second-ranked team in Western New York’s top-10 poll the previous week — in the semis to set up yet another matchup with Hamburg in the finals. The Bulldogs won the first game, 25-23, but Clarence came back to win the second game, 25-21, to set up a decisive third game — which Hamburg won, 15-6.

“Obviously it was a disappointment, but I’ve told the boys to try to judge the season in one-day increments, asking, ‘Are we better than we were 24 hours ago?,’” Starr said. “The answer this time was certainly yes.”

Okon and Payne, Clarence’s top players on the day, were both named to the all-tournament team.

Clarence returns to action this evening against undefeated league foe West Seneca West, which defeated the Red Devils in five games at West a couple of weeks ago.

“Since we lost to them, we’ve gone to a different offensive setup, and we’re better defensively than we’ve been all season,” Starr said. “It should be a great match.”

Ken East boys volleyball tops Ken West in 114th matchup
by BRANDON KILIJANSKI Reporter
Wednesday, October 16, 2013

The boys rivalry between Kenmore East and Kenmore West is one of the longest standing in Western New York, and in the 114th matchup between the schools, East had its cleanest game of the year to win 25-17, 25-19, 25-14.

“We put it all together and played almost mistake free,” said East head coach Kyle Horvatis. “Our passing was outstanding and it was our cleanest game we played all year. I told them it was the best game they played this season.”

The win moved East to 4-6 in league play, while West dropped to 1-8.

“East simply played better than us,” said Blue Devils head coach Gary Tocke. “We really only had a few guys play well in that match. We battled but didn’t have a ton of offense. East had a bit more than us, but for a while there it was a close match.”

East leads the overall series 59-55, and has also won the last six matches against West.

For the Bulldogs, Tom Vancuran led the way with 10 kills in the match. He also helps run East’s 6-2 offense along with Rob Mol as the team’s two setters.

The Bulldogs only senior, right side hitter Tom Barton, also had a strong match posting seven kills.

“We had a lot of guys help chip in for a full team effort,” said Horvatis. “Our libero, Jeff Wolf, passed 90 percent of the balls and they were all really good. He helped us win, and we played well as a team due to our great passing.”

Kenmore East’s Tom Barton, left, and Rhett Boswell close
for a block in their battle against Kenmore West. East
was able to win in a clean sweep. Photo by Jim Smerecak

As for the Blue Devils, first year senior and middle blocker Noah Whalen led the team with six kills. Whalen, who also plays basketball, has transferred his athletic ability to volleyball and has been one the team’s most improved players.

“He was the highlight of our team against East,” said Tocke. “He has a lot of athletic ability, which I always welcome, and he is a go-getter. Whalen is a ball of fire and gets excited on the court in such a positive way, which has really been a tremendous asset to our team.”

Tocke added that Whalen has improved his blocking and has been the team’s best offensive weapon the last five matches. “I really feel bad he didn’t play last year for me. He picks up things so quickly and has progressed all season.”

Both coaches agreed how important the rivalry is, and how all of the athletes were geared up to play again.

“For the players it’s huge,” said Horvatis. “It means a lot to them, they were really looking forward to it and were pumped up.”

Niko Mancuso of Kenmore West High School tries to
block the ball after it was hit by Ben Leising from Kenmore
East High School during a rivalry volleyball game held at
Ken East on Friday. Photo by Jim Smerecak

“When you play against the other side it’s a war,” said Tocke. “It doesn’t matter if it’s checkers or dominoes. Whoever wins, they are the kings of Kenmore.”

Tocke is no stranger to the East vs. West rivalry. He started the boys volleyball program at East in 1968 and coached there for 41 years.

After retiring, he sat out for only season, and crossed town to coach West for the past four seasons.

Of the 114 total matches between the two schools, Tocke has only missed two.

Western New York 2013 Boy's Top 10 Poll - 10/15/13
Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Maryvale boys spikers set lofty goals after upsetting end to 2012
By: Marquel Slaughter, Reporter | Sports
Monday October 14, 2013

As a large portion of the roster has graduation upon them, this year’s boys volleyball team at Maryvale feels as if it’s time to go big or go home.

The core of the team is reliant upon the play of their three returning all-stars among a senior class of eight. Co-captain Ryan Robida is the senior setter and a First Team ECIC III selection last year. His classmates Tyler Nosal and Jordan Teed were Second Team selections.

Senior Wayne Hunzinger joins Robida as the other co-captain, while the rest of this upperclassmen group includes Joey Germann, Tyler Foster, Derek Kaczorowski and Justin Vanderwalker. Junior Mike Walizada and eighth grader Jordan Nosal round out the roster.

“It’s just a good group of guys,” Robida said. “Before anything, we have more fun than any of the other teams by far.”

“We’ll be solid,” said coach Andy Murtha, who’s main goal for his team this year, as always, is to have fun. Some of their other goals are “to not only beat teams, but to beat them 3-0, get the highest seed possible and not get upset in the first round.”

Last fall, Maryvale was seeded fifth and was swept by No. 12 North Tonawanda in the pre-quarterfinals. It left a bad taste in the Flyers’ mouth.

“We had a good season, it’s just that we finished second (in the division) and we wanted to finish first...then we get into the playoffs and we didn’t do anything,” Hunzinger said. “We sat down and let them walk all over us. It’s like we didn’t belong there when we should’ve just swept them.”

Another goal of the Flyers was winning the division, but that may be out of reach now. They have often finished second behind Eden in ECIC III, and, like last season, their only two league losses this season have been served up by the Raiders.

Having lost the first meeting, they hoped to at least split with the defending champions, but lost to them in four games at home on Oct. 3.

“We honestly played right to their level, if not better,” Hunzinger recounted of the first meeting. “We were up the first game and could’ve easily took it. They came back and got us 26-24 and took over our ego.”

The Flyers now look to end their season no lower than second place, along with going deep into the postseason.

They head to Holland today before participating in tournaments at Orchard Park (Oct. 12) and Hamburg (Oct. 19). They’ll end their season at home versus Cheektowaga (Oct. 22), Starpoint (Oct. 23) and Depew (Oct. 25).

U.S. Beach Teams Take Gold, Silver
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 13, 2013)

The U.S. women’s beach volleyball team of Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross took gold while the men’s team of Phil Dalhausser and Casey Jennings settled for silver on Sunday at the FIVB Sao Paulo Grand Slam.

In the women’s final, Walsh Jennings (Saratoga, Calif.), who is married to Casey Jennings, and Ross (Costa Mesa, Calif.), seeded No. 10 in the main draw, outlasted Germany’s No. 5 Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst, 19-21, 31-29, 15-12 in 1 hour, 5 minutes. Walsh Jennings and Ross won $33,000 for the victory.

In the men’s final, No. 18 Dalhausser (Ormond Beach, Fla.) and Jennings (Las Vegas) lost a battle to Brazil’s No. 2 Pedro Solberg Salgado and Bruno Oscar Schmidt, 23-21, 19-21, 15-13 in 1:07.

To view complete release, visit teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball/Features/2013/October/13/US-Beach-Teams-Take-Gold-Silver.

Hamburg wins OP Invitation by beating Clarence
Buffalo News
Sunday, October 13, 2013

Zach Yerington earned MVP honors as Hamburg beat Clarence in the final to win the 28th Orchard Park/Walt Stefani Volleyball Invitational.

The title was the first for the Bulldogs since 2005. The Hamburg middle blocker earned the honor after he neutralized Clarence’s two big middles, forcing them to aim elsewhere.

Hamburg and Clarence saw plenty of each other during a 24-hour span. They met on Friday in an ECIC I match won by Hamburg in four games. They met in pool play in the tournament with Hamburg winning two close ones, 28-26 and 25-23, then they met again in the finals.

Trevor Vail and Pat Stroh of Hamburg were named all-tournament. Also making the team were: Neil Conway of St. Joe’s, Tom Euszkiewicz of St. Francis, Ted Okon of Clarence and Dale Payne of Clarence.

Stefani’s name was added to the event to honor the recently retired coach.

Results from the Midlakes Tournament
Buffalo News
Sunday, October 13, 2013

Team
Championship Canisius 25-25, Midlakes 6-15 Semifinals Canisius 25-25, Baldwinsville 15-21 Pool play Canisius 25-25, Liverpool 22-22 Canisius 25-25, Oswego 22-11 Canisius 25-25, Horseheads 15-18
All-tournament team: Trevor Gooch, Brian Costello

Results from the Orchard Park Tournament
Buffalo News
Sunday, October 13, 2013

Team
Pool A St. Joe's 25-25, Eden 18-22 Orchard Park 25-25, Maryvale 13-23 St. Joe's 25-25, Orchard Park 19-19 Eden 25-25, Maryvale 11-13 St. Joe's 25-25, Maryvale 13-10 Eden 25-25, Orchard Park 18-18 Pool B Hamburg 25-25, St. Francis 18-21 Clarence 25-25, Lake Shore 11-13 Hamburg 25-25, Lake Shore 10-19 Clarence 25-25, St. Francis 22-7 Hamburg 28-25, Clarence 26-23 St. Francis 25-25, Lake Shore 8-16 Quarterfinals St. Francis 31, Eden 29 Clarence 30, Orchard Park 20 Semifinals Clarence 31-25, St. Joe's 29-23 Hamburg 25-24-15, St. Francis 11-26-9 Finals Hamburg 25-21-15, Clarence 23-25-6 

MVP: Zach Yerington (H). All-tournament: Neil Conway (SJ), Tom Euszkiewicz (SF), Ted Okon (C), Dale Payne (C), Trevor Vail (H), Pat Stroh (H)

Unbeaten Lockport boys spikers make quick work of Ken East
By: Tom Gallagher, Reporter | Sports
Friday, October 11, 2013

Lockport boys volleyball coach Joe Whalen knows his Lions needs to stay on top of their game if they want to ride their early-season success to a Niagara Frontier League title.

That didn’t pose an issue on Friday night.

The Lions improved to 8-0 in Niagara Frontier League action with a straight-sets home victory over Kenmore West, 25-9, 25-10 and 25-9. Whalen was happy with the Lions’ relentlessness. 

“All you need to do is back off and somebody is going to get you,” he said. “Ken West has a younger team, and you run the risk of backing off with them. So I was real pleased with that tonight.”

In not “backing off,” the Lions played at a pace they would play at during any tightly-contested match. 

“I told our guys that they have to play at the speed that they’re going to play against when they face top competition,” Whalen noted. “They played with good, crisp speed, had nice combinations and were hitting the ball hard.”

“You want to play every game like you’re facing a team that’s undefeated and in the sectional finals,” middle Jason Donorovich said. “You want to keep playing – and playing hard.”

The team certainly played hard against the Blue Devils, making quick work of their opponent in all three sets. The Lions had a chance to work on areas of their game that needed fine tuning. Whalen was particularly pleased with the team’s jump-serving, which lent a hand in the Lions’ 10 aces.

“We had some good jump serves tonight and it was a good game to work on them,” he said. “It’s a risk, because all you need to do is miss it and give the other team the momentum. But we did a pretty good job on serving.”

Donorovich was one of the team’s top players. Based on unofficial stats collected by The Source, the 6-foot-8 junior finished with 18 kills, four aces and four blocks. 

“Jason Donorovich played a real strong game,” Whalen said. “I thought he got up and hit the ball well.”

Senior captain and setter Jack Whalen, Joe Whalen’s son, had 27 assists. Junior outside hitter Brad Schneider added nine kills. Senior outside hitter Bryce Perry chipped in 11 digs; senior captain and libero Eamon Yates had 10.

Whalen’s group, now 13-3 overall, tore through its NFL foes the first half of the season. Its only losses came in non-league matches against Section VI powers St. Joe’s, Clarence and Williamsville South.

The Lions continued the NFL portion of their schedule when they played Grand Island on Tuesday, Oct. 8 in a big match between the league’s top teams.

“That game could be the difference of us winning the NFL outright or if we share it,” Joe Whalen said. “We need to be ready for it. They only have one loss and it came against us.”

Preparing for the contest entails focus and hard work in practice, he said. His son bolstered that sentiment.

“I think a lot of (our hard work) comes from the nervousness of someone coming and beating us,” Jack Whalen said. “We don’t want that to happen, so we won’t let it. With the skill have, we have a lot more control over our game than other teams do.” 

OP Boys volleyball trying to find its groove
Orchard Park Bee
Thursday October 10, 2013

In a season that has seen more parity than in recent memory, the Quakers got off to a slow start but have been starting to find its groove as time goes on. The starting lineup is almost brand new as the program graduated five starters last season.

“The parity this year is something that hasn't been seen since the 1980s,” said head coach Matt Lexner. “We are off to a slower start than others, but recently we have started to compete a lot better.”

The Quakers lost to eighth ranked Clarence in four games and then barely lost to third ranked West Seneca West in five games. “We are hoping to break through this week,” said Lexner. “Our biggest strength so far has been our blocking. If we can get our floor game and passing up to that level, a lot of things will start rolling our way.”


Orchard Park is led by their only returning starter, setter Nolan McArdle.

“He is our captain, a great competitor and is able to raise his teammates level of play,” said Lexner.

Lexner is back as the sole head coach for the first time since 2001 to 2005.

After that season, Walt Stefani returned to the bench to coach when his son entered high school as was a four-year starter.

“I will miss Walt a lot, however I am very excited to be back at it again as the main guy,” said Lexner. “All the preparation, planning, and decisions are solely mine and my players. I missed that part of it. Moving forward, we must continue to grow the game and get our players playing year round.”

The Quakers square off against Frontier on Friday, and Hamburg on Wednesday, both of which are at home.

High hopes remain for St. Francis volleyball to make run
By: Johnathan Snyder, Reporter | Sports
Thursday, October 10, 2013

A, B, and C are more than just the first three letters in the alphabet for the Saint Francis volleyball team.

Ability, belief and confidence are three concepts head coach Andy Lanigan preaches to his team, on a daily basis. Despite an overall record of 3 – 9, the Red Raiders head coach Andy Lanigan said his team has been making strides to accomplish its season-long goals, using those concepts.

“Our record does not indicate how well we are playing,” Lanigan said. “The scores in the paper don’t replicate how well we are playing, right now. The sky is the limit for these guys and they know it.”

SETTING — Jack Moretti sets the ball in a match earlier this season.
He has helped provide St. Francis with hope, this year.
Photo courtesy of Ron Larson.

On Oct. 2, the Red Raiders fell in straight sets to top-ranked Canisius in a tightly-contested match. The Crusaders have been the class of the Monsignor Martin division, winning 13 straight championships.

St. Francis was within a point in game one, 17 – 16, before Canisius won 8 of the game’s final 11 points. The Red Raiders had a 5-point lead three separate times in the second game, before a controversial call seemed to turn the momentum in the visitor’s favor.

With a 5-point advantage, the Red Raiders’ return hit the ceiling and looked to come down on their own side. The Canisius defender then extended up around the net and, in the eyes of the Saint Francis staff, reached over, which many said should have resulted in a violation.

“I think that’s the game-changer right there,” said Lanigan, whose team was playing in its annual Blackout Game. “If we win that game, who knows what happens in game three; then, this place goes nuts.”

St. Francis has been led by a senior class featuring Tom Duzkiewicz. Nicknamed “The Hammer,” Duzkiewicz is a three-year varsity starter and Second-Team All-Catholic selection. Lanigan said that Duskiewicz is respected and well-liked by his teammates.

Seniors Jack Moretti and Nick Novak are also two key players. Moretti contributes height and offense, while the smaller Novak brings versatility. Lanigan said he has been impressed with the play of sophomore Jake Kaempf.

At the Canisius game, the students were loudly behind their team, rooting hard, every serve. Lanigan and his staff said that they have noticed the outpouring of support, not only at volleyball games, but at all sporting events thus far, this school year.

“The culture here at Frannies is starting to change,” said Lanigan. “We saw it at homecoming; we saw it at our Rock the Red game and you’re seeing it at other sporting events. The senior class, I have to give them credit for trying to put us [back] on the map.”

Lanigan said that his team can make some noise, come the playoffs, regardless of where it sits in the standings. St. Francis is in fourth behind Canisius, St. Mary’s and St. Joe’s. Until then, there is still a lot of volleyball to be played and a lot of time for chemistry to develop.

“We have to learn to win,” Lanigan said. “We play anybody, anywhere, anytime, any place, and it’s only going to make us better. We started the season with five games on the road and I did that for a reason, because I want our guys to be battle tested, to know that they can play with anybody in Western New York and I think we can.” 

Seniors leading Wildcats boys volleyball to 7-2 record
by BRANDON KILIJANSKI Reporter
Thursday, October 10, 2013

The Depew boys volleyball team has surged to a 7-2 overall record thanks to strong play from four starting seniors.

“Our four seniors, Matt Nichy, Matt Federowicz, Chris Karnyski, and Sean Stablewski, have led us to our record,” said first year head coach Lindsay Garbacz.

“The seniors have provided the leadership necessary for us to be successful.”

Depew has victories against Cheektowaga, Holland, Amherst and East Aurora this season. Throughout the season, Federowicz has been the go-to outside hitter.

“He is the crucial component to our success,” said Garbacz. “He can always provide a key float serve, a perfect pass, and the attitude the team needs in order to succeed. He is a leader of the team due to his positive and hard working attitude.”

Along with Federowicz is co-captain Nichy who also provides offense as the other outside hitter.

Karnyski is the team’s number one middle blocker, and fittingly he leads the Wildcats in blocks on the season.

“He leads the teams in blocks in the middle, but also leads by example with his strong work ethic, both on and off the court,” said Garbacz. “He is the first one at practice, setting up the net, and making sure the team stays focused during practice.”

Stablewski, who is a three-sport athlete, provides plenty of positive energy during games, which Garbacz said has helped to catalyze some victories.

Besides the seniors, Depew has two juniors who also contribute — Eric Wagner as an outside hitter and Dylan Haak at setter. 

Wagner frequently puts his body on the line, diving for digs, and is one of the most consistent passers for Depew. “Nothing hits the ground in front of him,” said Garbacz.

While Haak is well-known to hustle all over the court.

“His hustle and heart allow him to improve with every single practice,” said Garbacz. “He works hard every day, and is an all-around athlete.”

Garbacz herself was an all-around athlete as well. She was a first team all-state volleyball player at Lancaster, and continued her career in college playing Canisius.

In addition, she also played softball at Canisius as well. Before taking over Depew, Garbacz coached one year as assistant girls coach at Lancaster in 2010, and the past two years she was the head coach for the varsity girls at Tonawanda. 

East girls volleyball remains unbeaten in ECIC II
Amherst Bee
October 9, 1013

Williamsville East’s girls volleyball team remained unbeaten in ECIC Division II after defeating Williamsville South, 25-20, 25-20, 24-26, 25-19, Wednesday.

Natalie Berrafato recorded 35 assists, Gabby LaVere and Caitlin Novak both recorded six blocks, Lexi Novak posted 17 kills, Carly Shiffet had 23 digs, Samantha Mendelsohn had 16 digs and Bridget Sleap added 15 digs.

East opened the week with a 25-15, 25-17, 25-18 home win over Starpoint Sept. 30.

Shifflet had 12 kills and Lexi Novak added seven kills. LaVere, Caitlin Novak and Berrafato each had five kills. Berrafato added 25 assists.

East closed out the week by beating Cattaraugus-Little Valley, 25-18, 25-19, to win the gold bracket at the 27th Frontier Tournament Saturday.

The Lady Flames played the entire tournament without six seniors, who were taking the SATs.

East coach Scott Wright lauded the play of junior outside hitter Tori Thuman and junior middle hitter Laryssa Melynk.

East (9-1, 9-0) traveled to Iroquois Tuesday, but information about the match was unavailable before press time. They host West Seneca East Thursday.

Lady Spartans drops league matches
Amherst Bee
October 9, 1013

Williamsville North’s girls volleyball team dropped to 2-6 in ECIC I with road losses against Lancaster, 22-25, 13-25, 20-25, Wednesday and Orchard Park, 21-25, 15-25, 16-25, Friday.

North coach Keith Hopkins said his team led Lancaster 22-21 in the first game and 19-18 in the third game but could not close either game out.

“We just weren’t able to make the plays at the right time to pull out a victory,” Hopkins said.

Noelle Gulick and Lauren Schreiner both recorded nine kills and Becky Mann added five kills.

Hopkins said his team dug every ball against OP but struggled to find consistent offense.

“We had some rallies that were three to four minutes but couldn’t put a ball away,” he said. “Defensively, we’re as tough as anybody in the league but we have to find a way to get the ball to the floor when we have an opportunity.”

Kailee Terrance recorded 18 digs and Schreiner added 10 kills.

Hopkins also noted the strong play the last two matches of middle hitter Lauren Curtis.

North (5-13-1 overall) hosted Frontier Tuesday, but information about the match were unavailable before press time. They travel to Hamburg Wednesday and host Grand Island in a non-league match Friday.

Sharks win silver bracket at Frontier Tournament
Amherst Bee
October 9, 1013

Sacred Heart’s girls volleyball team defeated City Honors, 25-21, 25-12, to win the silver bracket of the 27th annual Frontier Tournament Saturday.

Middle hitters Caroline Auricchio (four kills, four aces) and Kathleen Ryan (four kills, three blocks) led the Sharks’ offense.

After pool play in which they faced eventual tournament winner Eden, along with Clarence and Cattaraugus-Little Valley, the Sharks beat Lackawanna in the semifinals.

The Sharks went 1-2 in league play, beating Nichols Sept. 30 and losing to Immaculata, 21-25, 13-25, and 19-25, Wednesday and Mount Mercy, 25-19, 25-15, 22-25, 23-25, Thursday.

Against Nichols, Carlee Conway had six aces and a kill for the match and Georgi Stoj had four aces.

Auricchio contributed to the win with six kills while Ryan recorded three kills.

Defensively, Caroline Auricchio had four serve receipts and five digs, Georgi Stoj had three serve receipts and three digs, and Mia Wild had four serve receipts and five digs.

Auricchip had seven kills against Immaculata and Ryan had nine kills against Mount Mercy.

The Sharks look for revenge against Nardin at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday in the Sacred Heart gym and finish off the week at O’Hara Thursday.

All profits from October home matches will be donated to Roswell Park Cancer Institute. The Official “Turn Up the Pink” game will be held on Oct. 15 against Mount St. Mary.

Amherst boys defeat Holland, drop road matches
Amherst Bee
October 9, 2013

Amherst’s boys volleyball team (2-8, 2-6) dropped two of its three road matches last week, falling to Eden, 11-25, 10-25, 13-25, Oct. 1 and Williamsville North, 11-25, 14-25, 15-25, Friday and beating Holland, 25-14, 25-6, 25-20 Thursday.

“We had a lot of fun this week,” Amherst coach Peter Wlosinski said. “We pushed ourselves to play our best against some strong opponents. It was great to see our team come together and smile through the adversity we faced. By the end of the week, we’re cheering as a team and really supporting each other on the court.”

Leading the Tigers against Holland were: Evan Hall (11 kills, eight aces), Greg Zimmerman (two kills, seven digs), Alex Touma (13 assists, seven aces), Ethan Ahuna (five aces), Ben Touma (six digs) and Dante Merrill (five assists, seven digs).

Amherst hosted Williamsville East in a non-leaguematchTuesday, but information about the match was unavailable before press time. They host Maryvale Wednesday and travel to Depew Friday.

“Even though we lost to both teams, we are eager for another chance to compete,” Wlosinski said. 

Quarter century of OP dominance ended by Clarence boys volleyball squad
Clarence Bee
October 9, 2013

Clarence’s boys volleyball team did something Oct. 1 that no Red Devils squad in more than a quarter century: earn a regular-season sweep of Orchard Park, and leave Orchard Park’s gym with a 22-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-14 victory in the process.

Senior outside hitter Brandon Hill had seven kills on the night, while fellow senior Dale Payne also had seven kills and added 15 points jump serving, including seven in the fourth game. Junior David Cummiskey had six kills, while senior Derek Burghardt added five as coach Kevin Starr noted that the Red Devils’ two-setter offense, led by senior Skyler Reinhardt and junior Matt Dempsey, “is starting to click.”

“We’ve beaten them in home matches, tournament pool play, a tournament final and a sectional final over the course of the last 25 years, but never on their court,” Starr said. “It might be even longer than 25 years since a Clarence team was able to beat them on their home court. It was definitely a night of firsts.”

Clarence followed up the historic win over Orchard Park with a 25-14, 25-18, 25-18 win over Williamsville North two days later. 

Hill led the way in what Starr called a complete team victory with 11 kills.

“All 13 guys on the team directly contributed to this win,” Starr said. “North is a little down this year — they’re probably a year away from being a contender again — and the boys played effectively and methodically. This is something that strong teams have to do no matter who is on the other side of the court.”

Clarence returns to action this evening at Lancaster and then travels to Hamburg Friday before partaking in Saturday’s Orchard Park Tournament.

Clarence’s David Cummiskey, at left in background, and Ted Okon,
at right in background, return to their feet after a successful
block during the Red Devils’ 22-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-14
win Oct. 1. Photo by John NormilePurchase color photos
at www.BeeNews.com

“We beat Lancaster in four games the first time we played and we lost to Hamburg in five games the first time around in what were both typical ECIC Division I battles this year,” Starr said. “These league matches are especially important, since our league record will determine our sectional seeding at the end of the season.”

Western New York 2013 Boy's Top 10 Poll - 10/8/13
Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Lockport Tournament Results
Buffalo News
Saturday, October 5, 2013

Team
Finals Lockport 25-25, Eden 9-20 Semifinals Eden 20-25-24, Nia.-Wheatfield 25-16-14 Lockport 25-25, Wmsv. South 16-20 Gold pool North Tonawanda 25-25, Starpoint 18-22 Eden 25-25, Wmsv. South 16-17 Eden 25-25, Starpoint 18-20 Wmsv. South 25-25, N. Tonawanda 15-19 Wmsv. South 25-25, Starpoint 18-16 Eden 35-20, N. Tonawanda 33-25 Blue pool Lockport 25-25, Ken West 13-11 Nia.-Wheatfield 29-25, St. Francis 27-18 Lockport 25-25, Nia.-Wheatfield 10-14 Ken West 25-14, St. Francis 20-25 Lockport 25-21, St. Francis 11-25 Nia.-Wheatfield 25-25, Ken West 21-22

Individual
MVP: Jason Donorovich (Lockport). All Tournament team: Anthony Padgorsik (WS), Austin Hayes (NW), Hadyn Herc (Eden), Declan Pierce (Eden), Jonah Ribbeck (LP)

St. Mary’s boys volleyball taking WNY, but not itself, by surprise
By: Mike Pidanick, Metro Source | Sports
Friday, October 4, 2013

The St. Mary’s High School boys volleyball team may have opened some eyes with a strong start to the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association. For the Lancers, however, it’s just a case of things going according to plan. 

The Lancers won their first two MMAA matches — including an upset of top-ranked St. Joe’s on the road. That has St. Mary’s thinking big and a lot of people taking notice of how good this team can be.

“I think we’re surprising a lot of people, but we’re not surprising ourselves,” senior outside hitter Matt Wrobel said. “We know we can play the way we have been playing and I’m glad we’re finally showing that.”

The big statement came on the floor of Western New York’s No. 1 ranked team, at the time, when the Lancers traveled to take on St. Joe’s. St. Mary’s controlled the action and walked out with a 25-18, 17-25, 25-23, 25-15 victory. 

If volleyball followers didn’t know about the Lancers before then, they do now. 

“It’s been great,” St. Mary’s coach Keith Koch said. “The guys played a great match against St. Joe’s and I’ve had a lot of people in the volleyball community — coaches, refs — congratulating us. But the credit all goes to the players. They earned it.”

St. Mary’s followed that big win over St. Joe’s with a hard-fought five-set home win over St. Francis eight days later. The Lancers have also posted strong showings in the Maryvale Tournament and North Tonawanda Tournament in the season’s first month.

The Lancers have a strong group of players leading the way, including senior hitters Wrobel, Tyler English and Marc Gonzalez, junior setter Jake Concannon and sophomore Alex Hokaj. Some younger players have also contributed big things as well for St. Mary’s. 

“I think we do what we do best and not try to do something that’s not us,” Wrobel said. “And we don’t play down to other teams’ levels; we get up for every game. We have a lot of size and a lot of experience — that’s always good when it comes to big games.”

There will be plenty more big games for the Lancers this year if they continue this way. A rematch with St. Joe’s comes on Oct. 11 at St. Mary’s and the Lancers hope to be a force in the postseason, as well. 

“We still have a lot of work to do, but I’m very happy so far,” Koch said. 

West boys volleyball survives five-set marathons, wins twice
West Seneca Bee
Thursday, October 3, 2013

West Seneca West’s boys volleyball team found itself playing plenty of volleyball over a recent 13-day stretch, playing three five-set matches against some of the best competition around in the process.

West’s odyssey began Sept. 18 with a 3-2 loss to Canisius. The setback stung worse than a normal loss, as the Indians dropped the fifth game by a 25-23 margin. After dropping the first two games, West stormed back and tied the match 2-2 behind better passing and attacking. In the end, coach Brett Widman noted that Canisius’ defense and transition game in the middle “gave them the edge.”

Senior Evan Koehler paced West offensively with 24 kills.

“Canisius was a very tight match with two evenly matched teams,” Widman said.

West bounced back two nights later in another 3-2 marathon, this time coming out on top against Lancaster. Consistent and aggressive serving by senior Steve Whitlow closed out game five for West, 25-20.

“This game was a preview to our ability to win close five-set matches, and about being able to make the necessary adjustments to be successful,” Widman said. “Both teams have effective attackers at all positions, and Lancaster runs a very effective 6-2 offense, which took us a few games to adapt to.”

West then knocked off then fourth-ranked Clarence on Sept. 23 in yet another barn burner, 3-2. The Indians “struggled defensively and with passing in games two and three,” according to Widman, but came around in game four with tough serving and tightener defense.

Koehler recorded 29 kills, with junior setter Ryan Kilijanski adding 50 assists.


“We showed again with our effort in this game that West has the fortitude to bounce back and win the marathon five-set matches,” Widman said.

West continued its solid play two days later against then second ranked Hamburg, pulling off the 3-0 sweep. Senior middle blockers Nick Clancy and Gregg Hart took control of the net, racking up a combined 14 blocks and 15 kills, while senior libero Jake Gromlovits led the defense with 16 digs.

“After three five-set matches in a row and some adjustments made in our blocking and defense, we played a very consistent and methodical match against Hamburg,” Widman said. “The whole team played great as a unit; every player executed their role in a way that got Hamburg out of its comfort zone. Consistent and aggressive serving caused Hamburg to be out of sync most of the match, unable to connect with their key hitters.”

“This was our chance to prove that we were a team that could win big matches, and in the end we showed that we belonged as one of the top three teams in Western New York,” Widman added. “It was an exhausting week having to play three five-set matches consecutively. By the time Hamburg arrived we had decided we needed to close the match more efficiently. It wasn’t going to be easy as Hamburg is a very good team, but we fought through and grew as a team.”

Non-league foe St. Joe’s threw a monkey wrench into the works Friday, though, shutting West out as West’s “poor defense, serving, and blocking cost us,” according to Widman.

“St. Joe’s was on and we had no answers,” Widman said.

West returned to action Tuesday against Frontier, but information was not available at press time for that contest.

The Indians close out their week by hosting Orchard Park this evening, but then don’t play again until they host Williamsville North on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

“In order for us to stay atop the standings in the very competitive ECIC I, we will need to continue to set higher goals for ourselves, particularly concerning serve receive and defense,” Widman said. “If we can clean up those areas, our offense will become even more efficient. Tough serving, passing and defense is what wins big matches, and we still have some work to do in those areas.”

Maryvale boys volleyball downs Central
Cheektowaga Bee
Thursday, October 3, 2013

Maryvale’s boys volleyball team completed the first half of league play with a 5-1 record thanks to Friday’s 3-0 victory over crosstown rival Cheektowaga.

Standout performers through Maryvale’s first seven games have included senior setter and co-captain Ryan Robida, who has been steady in running the offense and getting new players involved in the attack, as well as senior opposite side hitter Jordan Teed, who has provided an offensive spark as the team’s go-to hitter. Teed is also one of the top blockers.

Tyler Nosal has passed the ball well and asserted himself in long rallies by digging a lot of balls, while middle hitters Derek Kaczorowski, Justin Vanderwalker and Mike Walizada continue to improve, reducing their number of errors and making more contributions both blocking and on offense.


Outside hitter Joey Germann “has hit his stride,” according to coach Andrew Murtha, and “is playing with more confidence,” as is senior co-captain Wayne Hunzinger, “whose leadership has been tremendous.”

Maryvale (6-1 overall) returned to action Tuesday against East Aurora, but information about that contest was not available at press time. The Flyers will host Eden tonight in a rematch of their only league loss of the season, and Murtha said that the team is planning a promotion including a water bottle giveaway and free gift card drawings in an attempt to “hopefully pack the stands.”

Billies’ boys volleyball makes right call at own tourney
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Thom Knab has experienced a lot throughout his 22 years coaching the Williamsville South boys volleyball team, but what happened at the Williamsville South Tournament Saturday will be something he and his players will never forget. 

The Billies led Lockport, 24-18, in the third game of their semifinals match and appeared to have match point when a Lockport player hit the ball out of bounds.

But South junior middle hitter Christian Graziano looked to the referee and rubbed his fingers together above his head, indicating he had touched the ball. The Billies went on to lose the game, 31-29, and the match. South lost the first game, 17-25, and won the second game, 25-14.


“It was the right call,” Knab said. “I was so proud of him. It also made me proud of the culture I had created. He felt comfortable enough in this culture to make the call at game point, know that I would be fine with it, understand that life goes on and just knew it was right.

“This call was gutsy. He showed the game comes before the player. He put himself in the other team’s shoes. He represented himself, his school, his team, his mother and his coach with honor. I am proud of my entire team but especially proud of this young man. This volleyball player served up honesty when we really don’t see it often enough in our society.”

South beat Williamsville East, 25-19, 25-18, for third place.

“I give the kids a lot of credit because they were really disappointed after the loss to Lockport,” Knab said.

The Billies went 6-0 in pool play, beating Cicero North Syracuse, 25-16, 25-23; Cheektowaga, 25-10, 25-15; and Williamsville East, 25-20, 25-17.

Graziano, an all-tournament team selection, finished the tournament with 22 kills and 12 blocks.

Senior outside hitter Anthony Podgorsak recorded 35 kills to also earn all-tournament team accolades.

Junior right-side hitter Ryan Nigro added 14 kills, senior outside hitter Steve Zaprowski had 16 kills and sophomore setter Joe Zanelotti had 73 assists.

The loss to Lockport was South’s first loss of the season. They won the Maryvale Tournament Aug. 31; beat Amherst, Lockport and Williamsville North in non-league matches; and recorded ECIC II victories over West Seneca East, Iroquois, Sweet Home, Lake Shore and Starpoint. Every match was won in three games except Sweet Home, which South won in four games.

Podgorsak has consistently been the team’s leader in kills, including 13 kills and four aces against Lake Shore Sept. 19 and 18 kills against Starpoint Sept. 23.

Knab also lauded the play of junior Paul Jager, JV call-up, who stepped in and played well in place of Zaprowski, who was injured for two weeks with a high ankle sprain.

Knab attributes a lot of the team’s success to the experience of the returning players who played club volleyball.

South traveled to West Seneca East Tuesday, but information about the match was unavailable before press time. They host Iroquois Wednesday and compete in the Lockport Tournament Saturday.

The Billies’ “Dig Pink” fundraiser for cancer research is against Clarence on Tuesday, Oct. 24.

East girls volleyball rallies over Sweet Home in five
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter Amherst Bee
October 2, 1013

The match between the Williamsville East and Sweet Home girls volleyball teams lived up to its billing.

In a battle between two undefeated teams in ECIC Division II, the Lady Flames (8-0) rallied for a 15-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-23 home victory.

East coach Scott Wright credits the play of his team’s defense for pulling out the victory.

“Our defense really picked up in the last three games with Bridget Sleap and Sam Mendelsohn and we got a really good match from middle hitter Caitlin Novak and outside hitter Lexi Novak,” Wright said.

Sleap and Mendelsohn combined for 30 digs. Carly Shifflet recorded 23 kills and 15 digs.

The rematch is Oct. 15 at Sweet Home.

East closed out the week with a 25-17, 25-20, 25-19 win at Lake Shore Friday. Mendelsohn recorded 11 digs.

The Lady Flames hosted Starpoint Monday, but information about the match was unavailable before press time. They travel to Williamsville South Wednesday and compete in the Frontier Tournament Saturday. 

Williamsville North 

The Lady Spartans split their ECIC I road matches last week, losing to West Seneca West, 25-17, 25-19, 18-25, 25-23, Sept. 24 and Clarence, 9-25, 26-28, 20-25, Wednesday.

North coach Keith Hopkins said his team came out flat against Clarence.

“We were not moving our feet and reaching for a lot of balls,” Hopkins said.

In the second game, Hopkins said his team twice had set point to win the match but could not close it out.

The third game was tied at 20-20 before Clarence scored the last five points.

Kailee Terrance had 15 digs and Lauren Curtis had six kills and five blocks. 

Pacing the Lady Spartans against West Seneca West were: Lauren Schreiner (11 kills), Noelle Gulick (eight kills), Becky Mann (five kills) and Andrea Kiely (37 assists).

North (5-11-1, 2-5) travels to Lancaster Wednesday and Orchard Park Friday.

Sweet Home boys volleyball experiencing early-season success
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Sweet Home’s boys volleyball team has seen success early in the 2013 season.

The Panthers are 3-1 in ECIC II with wins over Iroquois, Lake Shore and Starpoint and a loss in four games against division leader Williamsville South. They are 6-2 overall with non-league victories over Kenmore East, Kenmore West and Williamsville North and a loss to Clarence.

Coach Rich Cicero attributes the early-season success to the players’ hard work, willingness to accept their roles on the team and keeping down unforced errors.


Leading the Panthers’ offense is outside hitter Taylor Sutherland. He recorded eight kills against Iroquois and 11 versus Lake Shore.

“He’s a versatile player that does a lot for our offense,” Cicero said. “He hits hard enough to be a dominating player for us.”

Senior outside hitters Ben Miller and Connor Heald have also done a great job of making smart decisions when they attack the ball, Cicero said.

Cicero is also impressed with the development of senior middle hitter James Nix.

“He’s been working on other aspects of his game,” Cicero said. “He’s learning how to hit in different sets, and that has paid off for us. But for a kid that has never played before, he’s unbelievable. He tries to make the right play every time. He picks up concepts quickly.”

Cicero also lauded the passing of senior Corey Allen as well as the defensive play in the back row from senior Justin Okun and juniors Josh Wilson and Mike Belluz.

“Justin, Josh and Mike have really played great defense,” Cicero said. “They are keeping the ball off the floor for us, making great passes and starting to communicate with each other. They make us a better team.”

Junior Rob Siegler, a 6-foot-5 right-side hitter, has played well in the front row since debuting at the Sweet Home Tournament Sept. 21.

“He made the other teams we were playing rethink about where they were setting the ball,” Cicero said. “He’s a natural blocker and goes up and takes away a lot of the court.”

The Panthers lost to St. Mary’s of Lancaster, 21-25, 25-21, 6-15, in the quarterfinals of the Sweet Home Tournament. Cicero lauded the play of Sutherland. Hamburg beat Clarence in the final.

Sweet Home traveled to Iroquois Tuesday, but information about the match was unavailable before press time. They travel to Lake Shore Thursday. 

Amherst boys volleyball struggles
Amherst Bee
Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Amherst’s boys volleyball team fell to 1-5 in ECIC III and 1-6 overall with losses at home against Cheektowaga, 18-25, 11-25, 25-27, Wednesday and at East Aurora, 21-25, 17-25, 18-25 Friday.

“We struggled to find ourselves this week,” Amherst coach Paul Wlosinski said. “We had two players out with the flu and we had to rearrange our lineup. The team responded well and knew they had to communicate to work together. I think we’re having a tough time being confident in our performance. We need to find that competitive drive and bring it onto the court.”

Leading Amherst against Cheektowaga were Evan Hall (three kills, two blocks), Greg Zimmerman (two kills, seven digs) and Alex Touma (six assists, five digs). Leading Amherst against East Aurora were Dante Merrill (five kills, two aces), Hall (six kills), Alex Touma (12 assists) and Ben Touma (five digs).

Clarence drops pair of league-play marathons
Clarence Bee
Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Clarence’s boys volleyball coach Kevin Starr knew going into this season that the road to success in divisional play would be long and arduous — but that didn’t mean he expected matches to be nearly three-hour long odysseys.

Yet there were the Red Devils battling Frontier in a slugfest of epic proportions Friday taking the Falcons to the limit before ultimately succumbing by a 26-24, 25-21, 15-25, 22-25, 30-32 score that led Clarence drained both physically and emotionally.

“This one hurts,” Starr said. “We had a couple of opportunities to end it, but we missed on some serves and, as the boys would admit, were just a step slow too many times. It was exhausting.”


Clarence rallied from behind to take both of the first two games, and trailed yet again in the fifth game before trading match points with Frontier on multiple occasions until Frontier finally put the Red Devils away.

“The fifth game was a great display of two fine teams slugging it out,” Starr said. “The trouble is, we should have never put ourselves in the position we did in the fifth game. The boys were uncharacteristically tentative; the ball hit the floor too many times when we should have kept it in play.”

Senior libero Jake Baran had 25 digs, while outside hitter Brandon Hill had 15 kills. Middle hitter Ted Okon had 13 kills, and outside hitter Dale Payne added 12 kills.

Clarence’s week opened in similar heartbreak fashion, as the Red Devils were upended by West Seneca West on Sept. 23, 24-26, 25-18, 25-18, 19-25, 19-25. Hill and Payne had 13 and 10 kills, respectively, while Okon added nine kills and four blocks, but it wasn’t enough as West held on for dear life to improve to 6-0 in the division at the time.

“West does everything very well, and the frustrating thing is, we had them,” Starr said. “By the end of the third game, we had adjusted to their strengths and had capitalized on the one defensive weakness that they have. But, they also made an offensive adjustment that freed up their best hitter for more swings, and we weren’t able to stop him effectively enough. This was our first match implementing a new offensive plan that gives us three hitters and blockers in every rotation; our boys adjusted to the change well, but we just didn’t finish the match.”

Clarence bounced back the next night against Williamsville East, but Starr maintains that the Flames didn’t exactly make the 25-11, 25-11, 25-19 win easy. Setters Skyler Reinhardt and Matt Dempsey “both had good nights,” according to Starr, as they “spread the ball around to our hitters very well.” Junior right-side hitter David Cummiskey, a left hander, “has become a good weapon for us,” Starr said, as he had five kills in six attempts on the night.

Junior Tommy Ecker has capitalized on his increased role in the front row, according to Starr, and also had nine points serving. Junior middle hitter Rob Kuberka had four kills on four swings in the second game, while junior Mason Sebian chipped in with six digs.

“East is a solid team with some very good players, but our kids ran the new offense beautifully,” Starr said.

Clarence (3-3 league) returned to action Tuesday at Orchard Park, but information about that contest was not available at press time. The Red Devils close out their week Thursday against Williamsville North.

“We need to work on quickness and aggressiveness in practice,” Starr said. “Once we address those things, we’ll be fine.”

Jacks’ Willison brings spark, personality to NT volleyball
Tuesday October 1, 2013
By: Dave Ricci, Sports Reporter | Sports

Victor Willison cracked a wry smile as he described himself as a “back-up class clown.”

Willison’s play on the volleyball court certainly hasn’t been a joke.

A sophomore in his first full season of varsity with the North Tonawanda, Willison has helped the Jacks get off to a strong start in 2013, which includes winning the Gary Tocke Tournament on Sept. 21 at Kenmore West.

“I feel like my swing has developed a lot more,” Willison said in between games of the Tocke Tournament. “It started off a little bit rough but it’s gotten progressively better.”

Playing the bulk of last season on the junior varsity, Willison was pulled up to varsity during tournaments and quietly made the most of his time as he worked to get better and better each day.

“The first time I was on (the court) I was really scared that I wasn’t going to do all of the motions perfectly, because I was shaking a little bit,” Willison said. “But I was just grateful to be there.”

Willison’s play led to a full-time call-up during sectionals.

Willison said the combination of his time on varsity and working with Lumberjacks’ JV coach Andrew Braun went a long way in shaping him into the player he is today.

“He always told me just give it my all every single game,” Willison said. “After every single set he always told me just do what you do. Don’t try to be anybody else.”

Willison is the kind of player a coach couldn’t ask much more from because the sophomore is consistent. Playing on the left side, he’s been a force through his consistent passing and hitting.

In fact, Willison leads the team in average kills per game.

“Every time he touches the ball the pace slows down so we can set up. He’s always consistent,” said NT coach Luke Hodgson. “And with that nobody seems to be able to stop him with his hits. I think he’s the total package.”

Hodgson went on to say what also stood out about Willison last season, and continues to this year, has been the way he reads the play. Willison just always seems to be in the right spot at the right time, noted Hodgson.

Willison also knows the value of learning by watching others and sees every game and practice as an opportunity to soak up something new about the game that can make him better.

“It’s all the energy,” said Willison. “I love when we have a big crowd. But when my team fires me up and gives me a chest bump; It just gets me fired up.”

The key to Willison’s growth as a player and his solid play this season is simple. He is calm and cool in the way he carries himself. Hodgson said Willison rarely, if ever, gets rattled on the floor and that calmness carries over to his teammates.

“He’s always having a good time. He’s always friendly, he’s always polite,” Hodgson said. “On the volleyball court, he knows when it’s time to speed up or to slow it down. He’s the total package.”

“I can be calm sometimes but I can also be an excitable — [I can be a] weird guy,” Willison said with a laugh.

Hodgson also believes that Willison has the kind of outgoing personality that has helped raw more athletes into the volleyball program and keep the numbers strong. And maybe most importantly, he helps keep the experience enjoyable.

“I love volleyball,” Willison said with a smile. “It’s a really fun sport to play.”

Western New York 2013 Boy's Top 10 Poll - 10/1/13
Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Girls volleyball outlook: Hamburg finds top competition close to home
Mary Jo Monnin, Buffalo News
Monday, September 30, 2013

Kelly Secor (3) and Dana Smith are hoping to help Wilson to another
Niagara-Orleans League title. James P. McCoy/Buffalo News

There are plenty of teams who travel to Rochester or drive to far-away tournaments seeking the best possible competition. Hamburg just waits for its league schedule to begin.

The Class A Bulldogs play in ECIC I, with mostly Class AA schools. Why gas up the bus when the competition comes to you?

“We have the benefit of playing Class AA schools all year in our division, which better prepares us for sectionals,” said coach John Crangle. “Although we’ve lost some AA matchups, we often get to 21 points before our opponent. The key is learning to win those games.”

Their league record many not be pretty, but who’s pondering that when the team is lining up in November to have its photo taken with the Class A plaque? Hamburg not only won sectionals last year, it’s been to the last four championship games, winning three.

Four starters return looking to add to the streak. It’s a young team with mostly sophomores or juniors, but that doesn’t mean they lack experience or game IQ. 

Junior Taylor Hite is a four-year varsity player and junior Lauren Moelbert has played for three. Junior Emilee Niejadlik and sophomore Lara McCormick are the other returning starters and first-year libero sophomore Maddie Shafer has quickly fit in.

The Bulldogs finished third at the Eden tournament behind two private schools (Mercy of Rochester, and St. Mary’s of Lancaster). 

“Our girls have practiced and played multiple positions which gives us the knowledge and skill set to run different offensive and defensive schemes, making us multi-dimensional,” said Crangle. “These girls are coachable and we pride ourselves on a tradition of hard work and high expectation.”

Girls volleyball always has its share of interesting storylines.

Consider:

• Three teams, Eden, Ellicottville and St. Mary’s all won state titles a year ago.

• Longtime Lancaster coach Sue Pernick is retiring.

• There is an impressive list of scholarship athletes to date: St. Mary’s Leah Meyer to Duke, Eden’s Lainy Pierce to Penn State, Frontier’s Sid Rojek to Marist, Ellicottville’s Courtney Scanlan to Stony Brook, Eden’s Heather Holscher to Daemen and Cattaraugus/ Little Valley’s Sara Crandall, a returning first team All-WNY pick, to Gannon.

Lancaster's Megan Hardy (8) and Meg Warrington defend against Hamburg's Taylor Hite. Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News

Defending champions

Class AA: Orchard Park, last year’s large school poll champion, is on top again this year. It beat Clarence in three games on Monday night in a meeting between the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked teams in the weekly coaches poll. Setter Noelle Poloncarz had 30 assists as the Quakers moved to 5-0 in ECIC I.

Despite graduation losses, the Quakers are still experienced and talented with a lineup of nine seniors. There are three seniors who are four-year starters as well as All-ECIC all-stars — Poloncarz, outside hitters Kristen Stanek and Rebecca Higgins. Senior Christine Zizzi is in her fourth year at libero.

“I have a group of girls that have been on varsity for four years, it’s like a college team with the amount of years we’ve been together,” said coach Greg Lardo. “They’ve already won two sectional titles and are hungry to take the next step.”

Class B: Olean returns plenty of talent from last year’s team, that not only won its first Section VI title, but also reached the state final four.

Setter/opposite Zoe Mahler looks to have a big year after missing parts of previous seasons with knee injuries. She has good hands and is also a standout blocker. Mackenzie Yanetsko is a senior OH who can crank the ball when she’s patient. Destiny Portlow jumps well and plays a smart middle hitter. The Huskies are still looking for a leader and trying to adjust to the loss of standout Janelle Shaffer, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury the first day of tryouts.

Class C: Eden’s state title was its fourth in a row and 10th overall. Lainy Pierce is a two-time All-WNY pick. She will sign next month with Penn State where her parents were athletes and her older sister, Kendall, is a sophomore who played on last year’s NCAA Final Four team. Her father Robert went to PSU 1985-1989, while her mother Kiernan ran track from 1984-1989. She’s played every position from setter to outside hitter. She’s the libero for her club team.

If Eden wins states this year, Pierce, along with senior OH Heather Holscher, will have played on five state championship teams. 

The Raiders are currently 6-0 in ECIC IV and 12-1 overall. They lost in the semifinals to St. Mary’s Tournament in their tournament, but will get another chances to face them on Oct. 16 away and Oct. 24 at home.

Eden also boasts sisters Kailey and Meghan Ballou. Kailey was all-tournament at St. Mary’s.

Class D: Ellicottville, won the state title a year ago dropping only one set all year. Courtney Scanlon, All-WNY first-teamer a year ago, leads this year’s Eagles.

Msgr. Martin Association: Leah Meyer of St. Mary’s missed the first week of the season with a stress fracture and right side hitter Ashley Drzymala was out two weeks with a concussion. They are back. “Right now we have a lot of balance in our attack, and we’re finally starting to find our groove,” said coach Don Pieczynski. “We’ve got four legit hitters and a defense that’s pretty good.”

St. Mary’s won its second consecutive Catholic State championship last year and 13th title overall. Meyer is only a junior, but she committed as a sophomore to Duke. She’s 6-2 middle blocker who can swing from anywhere and is a good blocker. 

The Lancers’ 8-0 record in Monsignor Martin includes a win in three games over second-place Nardin. The team is 16-3 overall with two runner-up finishes in tournaments. This weekend they are headed to the Garden State Challenge in New Jersey.

ECIC quick sets

Pernick, who has announced her retirement, is a 1974 Lancaster graduate who played on the school’s first interscholastic volleyball and basketball teams.

Pernick’s legacy includes New York State championships in Class A in 2004 and Class AA in 2006 and a run of Section VI titles between 2001-2007. They made it to the state finals from 2001-2007.

She will be replaced by 1998 graduate and JV coach Becky Schrantz, a former All-WNY player for the ‘Skins.

Frontier, Class AA finalist a year ago, returns nine players including All-WNY setter Sydney Rojek,who was third team All-State and this year was named all-tournament at Eden. The Falcons (5-1) have only one loss in ECIC I, to Orchard Park in five games. Frontier has a core of seniors looking to get the job done, Madison Karwas, Kaitlyn Long, Rachel Stephenson, Abby Booth and Caisey and Kaitlyn Lipka.

Clarence is also a contender in ECIC I and Class AA. The Red Devils (10-3, 5-2) won the Clarence tournament and were runners-up in the Sweet Home Tournament.

The team was fortunate to add a new player, 6-0 Karley King, whose family just emigrated from Canada. Freshman OH Meghan Neelon averages 12 kills and 7.0 digs per match. She was all tournament at the Clarence and Sweet Home tournaments. Her mother, Kathy Rich-Neelon, is a former Sweet Home player and coach,who played at the University of Southern California from 1986-1989.

Returning ECIC I all-star, junior OH Gabbi Pacatte, averages 10 kills and eight digs per match and is a fiery court leader. She was named MVP of the Clarence tournament and was all tournament at Sweet Home. Hallie Christopher sets a varied offense and leads the team in assists with 18 per match.

Sweet Home, ECIC II co-champion a year ago, is off to a 5-1 start. Senior OH Jenna Reeser has been a varsity starter since eighth grade. She’s a dynamic all-around player who averages 6.0 kills per game. Junior Emma Hubert and sophomore Rachel Reusch put up a solid block and are big contributors on offense. The Panthers won their own tournament this year.

Williamsville East’s 7-0 start includes big home wins over Williamsville South and Sweet Home. The defending ECIC II co-champion Flames pride themselves on defense led by sophomore OH Carly Shifflet, junior setter Natalie Berrafato and freshman OH Lexi Novak.

JFK plays in ECIC IV where the league title runs through Eden. The Bears were runners-up last year. Setter Jaclyn Smith was team MVP a year ago as a sophomore. She, along with Lexi Chudzik, were league all-stars. Kelsey Kaczmarek is a team leader and Jamie Kuwik has taken over as the No. 1 hitter.

Alden’s only loss in ECIC IV is to Eden and its only other loss was a five-gamer to Depew. Junior OH Natalie Schieder is a reigning league all-star who led last year’s team in most offensive categories. Senior setter Lauren Kocher also is coming off an all-star season. Senior Haley Panek is a top OH.

Depew three-year starter Brooke Guay runs the offense and top outside hitters are juniors, Alyssa Kling and Hannah Benson.

Iroquois looks to return to the Class B title game with senior Camille Wutz, who is a blocking machine. Senior Samantha Brader and junior Julia Winkle are four-year starters. Both are setters with ability to mix up the offense.

“Iroquois had been going through a roller coaster ride with highs and lows throughout the first part of our season,” said coach Laura Carlson. “We finally have found some solid ground and are moving forward with each match.”

Starpoint’s Allison Koithan earned ECIC II all-star honors at libero and leads the team in digs. Kills leader Jenna Faulkner leads a young team with just five seniors.

West Seneca West twins Rachel and Courtney Poirier have five years of high school experience.

Net nuggets

Niagara-Wheatfield, with nine seniors on the roster, leads the Niagara Frontier League at 8-0. Senior captain Kelsey Yeates is a four-year starter and leader in aces. Returning NFL all-star Katie Mazierski is a three-year starter. Two other weapons are senior RH Bailey Salemi and sophomore OH Kailie Sonnenberg.

North Tonawanda coach Jessica Anderson says she has one of the best all-around players in the area with junior OH Gabby Hansen. “She can do it all,” said Anderson. “She’s extremely smart as a hitter and can pass more than half the court, and she’s outstanding defensively.” Hansen was MVP of the Churchville-Chili Tournament. Junior OH Leanna Metzger is a three-year starter with a tremendous serve.

Niagara Falls won six matches last year but already has won five under fifth-year coach Martha Amoretti. Junior Toni Polk was a first team NFL all-star and Abby Edwards is the team’s strongest middle hitter.

City Honors will be chasing its 28th consecutive Buffalo Public Schools title led by returning All-High setter sophomore Julia Panepinto.

Chautauqua Lake, last year’s Class D-1 champs, returns Tara Hunt, Ashton Albanesius, Jenna Einink and Katie Meadows. The Thunderbirds are undefeated in the league and reached the finals of the Falconer Tournament.

Senior captain Sara Crandall, all-tournament at St. Mary’s, is a six-year starter at Cattaraugus-Little Valley. She led last year’s team to the Class D-1 final and has this year’s team off to an 8-2 start. Junior, 6-1 middle blocker Ashlee Harvey is a strong presence and junior OH Jessica Pritchard provides balance.

Allegany-Limestone is led by its outside hitters, 5-9 senior Lauren Ruffner and 5-11 sophomore Allison Watson. Watson is the daughter of Steve Watson, the athletic director at St. Bonaventure.

Wilson, two-time defending champion of the Niagara-Orleans League, went 15-2 and 12-0 before losing to Eden in the sectionals. Senior captain Allie Bubar is in her fourth year on varsity and this year averages 13 kills and 20 digs a game. Senior and captain Emily Lasher takes care of the setting duties and has the Lakewomen off to a 6-2 start.

Albion, winner of this year’s Starpoint and Albion Tournaments, are led by sophmore OH Kelsee Soule and junior OH Sara Millspaugh, who both average in double figures in kills. 

Roy-Hart’s roster has 10 seniors in coach Bill Holahan’s 38th season. The Rams are led by 5-10 setter Eliza Schwab, a returning Niagara-Orleans all-star. She has great hands and is a dangerous server. Strong players on the outside are seniors Courtney VanBuren and Justine Wittcop.

Immaculata has reached the last two Monsignor Martin championship games. Senior Jordan Demartino holds the school record for aces in a season. She’s a four-year starter while Sarah Bain has started for three. … Junior Megan Jepson is a solid all-around player for Nardin while sophomore Emily Rand can spike from anywhere on the floor. … Senior Marissa Rofollo is Niagara Catholic’s team captain. … Tori Siracuse is a three-year starter for Mount Mercy. … Sacred Heart returns its setter, Carlee Conway. … Elise Kreuz and Julie Fleming lead a strong junior class for Mount St. Mary. … Kelsey McCarthy was the South Division MVP a year ago for Cardinal O’Hara.

email: mmonnin@buffnews.com

Lady Falcons making it look easy during quick start
BY: Tom Gallagher, Reporter communitypapersofwny.com
September 30, 2013

Niagara Wheatfield girls volleyball coach Gary Kochems isn’t entirely sure what the Falcons’ record was in 2012. He wasn’t coaching the varsity program at that time.

“They had a reasonably good year,” said Kochems, who had coached the junior varsity team for the eight years prior to this season.

He certainly knows the team’s record this year.

Filling in on an interim basis for incumbent coach Brandi Cochran, who is on personal leave, Kochems had led the Falcons to a perfect 6-0 start in Niagara Frontier League action and an 8-1 record overall at press time.

“The girls make it easy,” Kochems said. “I had them at JV, so I know them all. And they were very, very good then. They make it very easy with their skill level and with their determination.”

Senior captains Katie Mazierski and Kelsey Yeates lead a 13-person team that boasts nine seniors. Kochems had high praise for the way the Mazierski and Yeates, who is now injured, have led by example.

“They come to play,” he said. “They always give you everything they’ve got and they do a really nice job of encouraging and picking up their teammates and keeping them focused and driven.”

Yeates, the starting setter before sustaining an injury in the team’s fifth league game, had experienced a lot of success orchestrating the Falcons’ attack. She racked up 173 assists and her boon of a serve scorched opposing defenses to the tune of 49 aces.

When she got injured, Kochems turned to backup setter Ashley Ward. At press time, Ward had played just one game as the team’s starting setter, chipping in 24 assists. She spelled Yeates at the position prior to the injury and has 100 helpers on the season.

“Ashley did a really good when she got her chances in the first half of the season,” Kochems said. “So now she gets her big chance. It’s a nice opportunity for her and I know she’ll do well with it.”

Mazierski and Bailey Selemi are key hitters on the outside. Their hard hits are difficult for opposing defenses to play against. Mazierski leads the squad with 84 kills; Selemi is second with 60.

“Not only do (their hits) inspire our team and our crowd when they really connect, but I think it affects the other team,” Kochems said. “When you’re playing against a player who can really bring it with power, it affects how they play and what they’re focused on.”

Kalie Sonnenberg is another primary contributor for the Falcons. An all-around player, she has 59 kills and 120 digs. Kirstin Klettke, Maggie Maxwell and Lexi Garabedian have split time at middle hitter due to a slew of injuries at the position. 

Defensively, Leanne Wills has succeeded in the transition from a front row player to the team’s libero. Her 128 digs rank second on the team behind Mazierski’s 144.

Kochems said that injuries have forced the Falcons to play just a couple of games with what he would call his starting group, but being a deep, diverse club has driven them to success.

“Our offense is diverse. When one part of it is off, another part picks up the slack,” he said. “We’ve worked around not having our starting middles and setter but everyone has really stepped up. We’re not one-dimensional and that helps us not have to rely on one kind of attack.”

That diversity, coupled with an undeniable camaraderie between the girls on the team, has been advantageous in the win column.

“The great thing is, they all get along,” Kochems said. “They really like when someone else is going to get a chance. Even if they’re the one coming out, they want to see their teammate do well. And they really like being together. They’re a very close group, and that just makes my job so easy.”

The Falcons know they’re the team to beat in the Niagara Frontier League as the second half of the season kicks off. Kochems said the team is expecting to face even stiffer competition this time around.

“Teams are looking for you,” Kochems said. “Everyone is going to be better than they were the first time around.

“The good news for us is early on our schedule was tough,” he added. “We’ll just have to take it one game at a time. I don’t like looking ahead.”

Lockport volleyball keeps winning
Buffalo News
Monday, September 30, 2013

Shawn Moore had seven kills and seven blocks as the Lockport boys volleyball team beat Kenmore East to finish 6-0 after the first round of play in the Niagara Frontier League. The Lions (11-3 overall) are coming off a win in the Williamsville South Tournament on Saturday.

Lockport prevails
Buffalo News
Sunday, September 29, 2013

Bryce Perry was MVP and Ryan Guyton made all-tournament as they helped Lockport beat St. Mary’s, 25-21, 25-23, to win the Williamsville South boys volleyball tournament.


Williamsville South Tournament

Team

Finals Lockport 25-25, St. Mary's 21-23 Semifinals Lockport 25-14-31, Williamsville South 17-25-29 St. Mary's 25-25, Williamsville East 21-10 Bronze Match Williamsville South 25-25, Williamsville East 19-18 Pool A Williamsville South 25-25, Cicero North Syracuse(CNS) 16-23 Williamsville East 25-25, Cheektowaga 21-21 Williamsville East 25-25, CNS 22-19 Williamsville South 25-25, Cheektowaga 10-15 Williamsville South 25-25, Williamsville East 20-17 CNS 25-25, Cheektowaga 17-20 Pool B Lockport 25-25, Williamsville North 15-13 St. Mary's 25-25, Starpoint 18-15 Starpoint 25-18, Williamsville North 17-25 St. Mary's 19-25, Lockport 25-13 Lockport 25-17, Starpoint 13-25 St. Mary's 25-25, Williamsville North 20-17

Individual

All-tournament team: Ryan Guyton (Lockport), Marc Gonzales (St. Mary's), Jake Concannon (St. Mary's), Mike Wisniewski (East), Patrick Irving (East), Christian Graziano (Wmsv. South), Anthony Podgorsak (Wmsv. South). MVP: Bryce Perry (Lockport) Lockport beat St. Mary's, 25-21, 25-23, in the final to win the Williamsville South boys volleyball tournament. Bryce Perry was named MVP while Ryan Guyton earned all-tournament for the Lions.

Frontier wins fifth game, 34-32
Buffalo News
Friday, September 28, 2013

Frontier’s boys volleyball team needed to win a fifth game, 34-32, to beat Clarence in an ECIC I match that took 2 hours and 15 minutes. Erik Hatten had 32 kills while Jake Gleason had 54 assists.

Bulldogs’ spikers win Sweet Home Tourney
By: Michael J. Petro | Sports
Thursday September 26, 2013

Hamburg head volleyball coach Brian Carroll believes his lineup is getting better everyday. Over the course of last week, his team proved its coach right.

The Bulldogs followed a four-set win against rival Frontier during the week, with a championship at the Sweet Home Tournament on Sept. 21. After winning 10 consecutive sets to reach the final, Hamburg had to come down from a set down to Clarence to win the final in three.

Senior Patrick Stroh, who has stepped up his play and figured a lot out this season, according to his coach, was named the tournament most valuable player, while teammate Zack Yerrington was also on the all-tournament team. Against Frontier, Trevor Vail stepped up to lead Hamburg. The Bulldogs are battling for the top spot in ECIC Division I.

“The guys have been taking turns with steps up,” Carroll said. ‘If they all step up at once, we’re going to be tough to beat.”

Frontier boys volleyball avenges finals loss to Orchard Park
By: Johnathan snyder, Reporter | Sports
Thursday September 26, 2013

Frontier volleyball players sum up the message their coach gives them in one word: intensity.

The Falcons brought that mindset into their Sept. 20 match against Orchard Park, the same team they lost to, during the Class A championship last season. They took down the defending champions in straight sets and wasted little time doing so, as the match lasted less than an hour.

“[Coach] preaches high, high intensity,” said senior Dylan Durni. “Intensity all throughout everything we do. In practice, even if you’re shagging a ball, you’re doing it intensely.”

In a five-set match a year ago, the Quakers rallied to win the final two sets and earn the title. This time around, although not on the championship stage, Frontier has learned from its defeat.

“Our passing definitely improved tonight,” said Falcons head coach Bill Faust. “We also tried to serve our targets; that was better tonight. We also tried to turn digs into kills and we did a better job of that, tonight.”

Durni, a Second Team All-Western new York last season, along with fellow senior Erik Hatten, cashed in dominant efforts against the Quakers, as they controlled the pace of play and never allowed Orchard Park to gain momentum. Frontier dominated the first set, winning 25 – 14, and then coasted to 25 – 19 and 25 – 16 victories, in the final two.

“Dylan’s one of the best hitters in Western New York,” Faust said. “He’s the real deal. We’re looking at him to be the anchor.”

The coach said that junior setter Jake Gleason is another player who is crucial to the Falcons success. The coach said that he expects a lot of this player, who has been on the team since eighth grade and was already part of two championship teams. Faust also said he also relies on two players whose sports passions lie outside of volleyball. Tom Stoklosa is a swimmer and baseball player, and Quinlivan, a lacrosse and basketball player.

Iroquois boys volleyball focused on learning
East Aurora Bee
Thursday, September 26, 2013

Iroquois boys volleyball coach Mark Schlabach believes that youth will be served when it comes to his team — it’s just a matter of when.

The Chiefs, who are winless through six matches this year, are looking to rebuild after graduating eight seniors off last year’s squad, and having the team’s sole junior from last year’s squad not come back out for the team. The varsity squad has just nine players on its roster this season, and with the players as inexperienced as they are this fall, the Chiefs are focused more so on learning the game’s fundamentals than they are on adding marks to the win column.

“We’re young, inexperienced and just raw this year,” Schlabach said. “We’re in a rebuilding period — it’s tough to recover from graduating eight guys at once — but at least it’s encouraging that we’re continuing to get younger guys out who are interested in the sport. We’re in the process of getting our numbers up, and if we continue to do that we’ll be able to continue to build up the program over the next few years.”

Junior Matt Hiam is currently starting at outside hitter for Iroquois, but Schlabach said that he is “able to do just about anything he’s asked to” as “the glue that holds us together right now.” Fellow junior Josh Hanley, a right side hitter, also returns off last year’s squad. Senior Ben Lang, who didn’t play last year after participating for two years at the JV level, also came out for the team, as did junior middle hitter Will Taber, who moves up from last year’s JV team.

First-year players Chris Stenzel, a junior, and Hayden McCormick, a sophomore, help to round out the team. Eighth grader Popovski is running the team’s offense after moving up from the JV squad, while freshmen outside hitters/defensive specialists John Weremblewski and Austin Besch make up the rest of Iroquois’ roster.

“I’m constantly reminding the kids that we need to focus on the process at this point, not the product,” Schlabach said. “I want them to get better at the skills of the game so that eventually the wins will come. Every opportunity that we have to contact the ball right now is an opportunity to get better, and we need to really focus on those contacts.” 

Iroquois returned to action Wednesday at Williamsville East, but information about that contest was not available at press time. The Chiefs are slated to close out their week Friday by hosting Lake Shore.

“We spend the first half hour or hour of every practice — sometimes more — doing ball control drills or working on our serve receive, but we also go for some kind of game play or other drill so that they experience active, live play so that it’s not a ‘deer in the headlights’ situation come our matches,” Schlabach said. “We’re doing a lot of learning, but we’re not forgetting about going over game situations too.”

(Reporter Jason Nadolinski contributed to this article.)

Cheektowaga Defeats Holland and East Aurora
Cheektowaga Bee
Thursday, September 26, 2013

Cheektowaga’s boys volleyball team defeated Holland on Sept. 16, 25-12, 25-8, 25-14, as Tim Petranchuk had two kills and three blocks, and Chad Outten had two kills and had four serving aces in the second game to push the team to victory.

The Warriors then defeated East Aurora on Thursday, 25-16, 19-25, 25-21, 23-25,

25-17 behind Noah McGhee’s seven kills and two blocks. Adam Reichert also had seven kills to push the team to victory.

Desmond Prince led the team in serving and at one point had 11 consecutive serves in the third game to bring the team back to win the game.

The Warriors returned to action Monday against Eden and also took on Amherst Wednesday, but information was not available at press time for either contest.

Cheektowaga will close out its week by hosting crosstown rival Maryvale Friday before participating in Williamsville South’s annual tournament Saturday.

Clarence downs Lancaster, struggles twice against Hamburg 
Clarence Bee
Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Hamburg’s boys volleyball team had Clarence’s number twice this week — barely, in both instances – to put a little bit of a damper on what was otherwise a solid week for the Red Devils.

Clarence was hoping for some redemption in the championship match at Saturday’s annual Sweet Home Tournament when it met up with Hamburg for the second time in three days. Similar to the league clash on Thursday, Hamburg had just enough up its sleeve to come away with the 25-23, 21-25, 10-15 victory.

Hamburg’s outside hitter — the tournament’s MVP — “dominated the match,” according to coach Kevin Starr. Dale Payne was voted to the tournament all-star team, but Starr was just as impressed with the play of backup setter and fellow all-tournament team member Matt Dempsey, who filled in for Skyler Reinhardt. Dempsey “never came off the court the whole day, and stepped up and almost led us to the title.”


“Matt showed me that we have to get him on the court more during the rest of the season,” Starr said. “He’s a real spark plug — too much of an asset to be on the bench. But, Hamburg’s outside hitter was so much bigger than the guys we have blocking him, and we didn’t dig the ball as well as we usually do.”

To reach the tournament final, Clarence defeated Niagara Wheatfield (25-16, 25-12) in the quarterfinals and a St. Mary’s team (25-21, 25-16) in the semifinals that had defeated then top-ranked St. Joe’s earlier in the week. Clarence also swept three games each from Williamsville East and Williamsville North in pool play. 

“All of the kids on the team got to play, and everyone contributed,” Starr said. “It’s tough to give 13 guys quality playing time in a sport that only has six players on the court at a time, so it was good to see kids who work so hard in practice get a chance to stand out.”

Clarence knew what to expect from Hamburg Saturday after falling in a tight contest on Thursday, 25-22, 16-25, 25-23, 17-25, 18-25. The Red Devils, who received 12 kills from Brandon Hill, seven from Derek Burghardt and six from Brandon Miller, struggled with their jump serve, as well as Hamburg’s height. 

“Hamburg just had a little too much for us at the end,” Starr said. “They’re bigger than we are, which makes them very difficult to block. Some of the front row matchups work in their favor, and they were able to capitalize by beating our block too many times.”

Clarence opened its week on Sept. 17 with a 25-23, 26-24, 21-25, 25-19 win over Lancaster. Libero Jake Baran had 16 digs, while Hill chipped in with 12 digs. Hill and Payne each added 10 kills, while Ted Okon contributed nine kills. Reinhardt dished out 21 assists.

“This was what every night in ECIC Division I is going to be like this season,” Starr said of the Lancaster match. “The teams are all very evenly matched, and the one with a little more in the tank is going to usually come out on top. Defense wins matches, and this was the case here.”

Clarence returned to action Monday at West Seneca West and then took on Williamsville East Tuesday, but information was not available at press time for either contest. The Red Devils close out their week Friday at Frontier.

WSW nabs key win
By: Buffalo News
Wednesday September 25, 2013

For two weeks, the West Seneca West boys volleyball team struggled with team chemistry. After a few team meetings, things started to click, and then came some big wins.

On Monday, the Indians defeated fourth-ranked Clarence in a five-set match. Wednesday, they swept No. 2 Hamburg, 25-23, 25-21, 25-19.

“When we played Clarence on Monday and went five and won it, you could see the difference on the court,” West Seneca West coach Brett Widman said. “They’re more positive. There was more teamwork and today was just the pinnacle of that. This is what I’ve been waiting for since the beginning of the season.”

In the three-set win over Hamburg, which received four first-place votes in this week’s coaches poll, Nick Clancy had eight blocks and Jake Gromlovits 16 digs in what Widman said was an overall solid team effort keyed by effective serving.

“Overall all my guys can serve well,” Widman said. “We were aggressively serving. We call it our ‘out of system.’ We served well and got them out of system so they couldn’t get a good attack on the ball. We were making their lives difficult with our serving.”

The Indians, ranked third in the latest poll, improved to 7-1 overall and are 6-0 in ECIC I play.

“I don’t think they believed they’d be 6-0 at this point,” Widman said. “They’re starting to believe. Tonight’s a huge win. To win in five games shows toughness and guts. To beat No. 2 in three games is kind of a statement.”

Sweet Home, East girls volleyball to battle for ECIC I lead
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter Amherst Bee
September 25, 2013

The Sweet Home and Williamsville East girls volleyball teams are on a collision course to determine the top spot in ECIC Division I.

Both teams are 5-0 in league play. They met Tuesday at East, but information about the match was unavailable before press time.

Sweet Home downed West Seneca East, 25-6, 25-16, 25-16, Sept. 16, and Williamsville South, 23-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-23, Friday.

Coach Britni Trapasso said Rachel Reusch, Jenna Reeser and Emma Hubert were offensive powerhouses against OP.

“The girls played smart volleyball for the last three games,” she said.

Trapasso also noted the defensive work of libero Victoria Rigler.

Reusch had eight kills and Reeser recorded six kills against West Seneca East.

Sweet Home also beat Lockport in the silver bracket of the Eden Tournament Saturday. In pool play, the Lady Panthers defeated Immaculata and lost to East and Frontier and then Grand Island in the quarterfinals.

Sweet Home also hosts Niagara Wheatfield Friday.

Williamsville East’s recent wins have come against Williamsville South, 28-26, 25-19, 26-24, Sept. 10; Starpoint, 25-14, 25-14, 25-23 Sept. 12; Iroquois, 25-20, 25-15, 25-16, Sept. 16; and West Seneca East, 25-9, 25-11, 25-20.

They lost to Hamburg in a non-league match last Wednesday.

East took sixth at the St. Mary’s of Lancaster Tournament Sept. 7 and fifth at the Eden Tournament Saturday. East lost to St. Mary’s of Lancaster, 30-20, in the quarterfinals of the Eden Tournament.

East coach Scott Wright likes the team chemistry and effort throughout the season.

He said the team’s defense has been solid, led by defensive specialists Bridget Sleap and Samantha Mendelsohn. Both lead the team in digs.

Wright also noted the strong defensive play of outside hitter Carly Shifflet and setter Natalie Berrafato.

“They are important offensively for us, but they also bring a lot to us defensively,” Wright said. “They are two of our better all-around players.”

Wright has also gotten good play from senior middle hitters Gabby LaVere and Caitlin Novak. LaVere leads the team in blocks.

Freshman Lexi Novak has played solid at outside hitter. She and Shifflet lead the team in kills.

East travels to Lake Shore Friday.

Amherst boys volleyball falls to Maryvale, Depew
Amherst Bee
Wednesday September 25, 2013

Amherst’s boys volleyball team dropped both of its ECIC III league games last week, falling at Maryvale, 20-25, 12-25, 17-25, Sept. 17 and Depew, 23-25, 15-25, 16-25 at home Thursday.

Amherst coach Paul Wlosinski said his team committed 12 hitting errors and missed eight serves against Maryvale.

“We can’t expect to compete when we continue to give points to the opponent,” Wlosinski said.


Evan Hall recorded four kills and Greg Zimmerman added two kills and six digs. 

Wlosinski called the Depew defeat a tough loss.

“In each set, we had the lead at the beginning, but couldn’t finish,” he said. “We seemed to get comfortable and Depew turned up their defense.”

Pacing the Tigers were Hall (eight kills, five blocks), Myron Harvey (three kills), Alex Touma (12 assists, seven digs), Ethan Ahuna (12 digs) and Greg Zimmerman (nine digs).

Amherst (1-4, 1-3) hosts Cheektowaga Wednesday and travels to East Aurora Friday.

Western New York 2013 Boy's Top 10 Poll - 9/24/13
Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Boys volleyball outlook by Mary Jo Monnin: Buzzwords for the season: Parity, great competition
Mary Jo Monnin, Buffalo News
Tuesday September 22, 2013

In the first three weeks of voting in the Western New York Coaches Boys Volleyball Poll, there have been three different teams ranked No. 1. Of the six tournaments that have been reported to The News, there have been six different champions.

If you’re getting the idea the talent is widespread this season, you’d be as accurate as an ace landing in the middle of the floor.

“I’m not surprised. It’s parity, but not in the sense of mediocrity,” said Clarence coach Kevin Starr.

“There are some really, really good teams. All of us coaches expected going into the season it was going to be like this. It’s so cool to see so many really solid teams. I don’t know if it’s this way in other sports, but we’re all enjoying this season so much. A lot of us coach other teams’ kids in club season. In 34 years I’ve never seen it like this.”



Looking to repeat

Canisius senior Brian Costello is generally acknowledged as the best setter in WNY. He’s the only returning All-Western New York player. Last year he set the Crusaders to a 24-5 overall record and a 9-1 league mark. Canisius won the Monsignor Martin Association playoff championship for the 13th consecutive year and tied for the regular season championship with St. Joe’s. 

Canisius junior Trevor Gooch was first team All-Catholic last year and MVP of this year’s Hamburg Tournament.

It took three years of state tournaments in boys volleyball before Lake Shore broke through in 2012 as the first team to qualify from Section VI. The Eagles lost the final in three games to Bellmore of Section VIII, ending a memorable 21-4 season. Plenty of talent returns, including one player with a bright future, freshman Devin Joslyn, an all-around talent. Helping run the offense has been sophomore Kyle Wishman. Senior Brad Owens is being counted on for his play at libero and for being a leader on a young team.

Defending Section VI Class A champion Orchard Park graduated most of its starters from last year’s 22-4 team. 

Two starters this year know what it’s like to be a state champion. Nolan McArdle and Brian Manley were on the Quakers’ state champion relay team in swimming last winter. On land, McArdle is one of the top setters in WNY. OP is off to its slowest start since 1977, but expects the improvement the team is making will surface in October.

Jeff Biddle made his season debut on Monday after missing the start of the year with a broken foot.



Quick sets

Hamburg is riding a wave of confidence after winning Saturday’s Sweet Home Tournament and starting the season 3-0 in ECIC I. Tournament MVP Patrick Stroh and Doug Horbachewski were ECIC I all-stars a year ago. Stroh is a dynamic left side and a very good jumper. Horbachewski can play all three of the front row spots. Sophomore setter Ryan Dils is a three-sport athlete who makes the Bulldogs go. Trevor Vail is a very physical rightside, who also plays club rugby. Zach Yerington was all-tourney at Clarence and Sweet Home.

When one Hamburg starter missed the Sweet Home Tournament due to illness, Tom Hoff, the team’s third middle and a blocking specialist, took advantage of the chance to prove himself. Coach Brian Carroll said the team elevated its play down a man and became a better team. “It was really good to win down a man, we showed our team can still function, the kids who came in left the day confident about themselves,” he said.

St. Mary’s has been a surprise. The Lancers recorded the upset of the year when it knocked off then-No. 1 ranked St. Joe’s on its own floor two weeks ago. Tyler English, first team All-Catholic a year ago, has been named all-tournament in all three competitions St. Mary’s has played in: Maryvale, North Tonawanda and Sweet Home.

“He’s really come on this year. From last year to this, it’s just his confidence that’s making the difference,” coach Keith Koch said of his 6-3 senior.

This is only his second year of volleyball for senior Matt Wrobel, and the 6-foot-3 outside hitter leads the team in blocks. Sophomore Alex Hokaj is leader in digs.

St. Mary’s Tyler English (5) takes on Clarence defender Ted Okon. English,
All-Catholic a year ago, has been an all-star in all three tournaments he’s
played this season. John Hickey/Buffalo News

Frontier, Class A finalist a year ago, is a contender to make a return trip with second team All-WNY Dylan Durni. He was last year’s kills and points leader, and this year was all-tourney at Eden. His brother, Drew, is a redshirt freshman at the University of Hawaii.

Also earning second team All-WNY was Jacob Gleason, a junior setter who led last year’s team in assists. The Falcons also return last year’s leader in blocks (Erik Hatten), digs (Peter Lotocki) and Jeffrey Taylor on the outside. Hatten is coming off an ECIC I all-star season.

Newcomers are Thomas Stoklosa, a state qualifier in swimming and a highly touted baseball player. He’s starting at middle hitter. Patrick Quinlivan is another multi-sport athlete who is starting at middle hitter.

Eden has no seniors but that doesn’t mean the expectations aren’t high. The Raiders went 12-0 last year, winning ECIC III. Hadyn Herc is a 6-4 junior who leads the team in blocks. Sophomore Declan Pierce is one of the most explosive players in WNY. He can control a game with superb passing and wicked jump serve. Cole Overhoff has an excellent serve and quick reflexes.

Amherst got a boost of confidence by being competitive with the top teams in the Clarence and Cheektowaga tournaments. Evan Hall leads the Tigers in kills, blocks and aces and works well with fellow seniors Dante Merrill, Alex Touma and Myron Harvey.

Look out for Maryvale. The Flyers, 10-2 last year in ECIC III, have eight seniors including Ryan Robida, a league all-star, two-year captain and solid setter. Tyler Nosal is a strong passer and joins Robida as an honor student.

Jordan Teed and Derek Kaczorowski have come over from other sports and are proving a quick study. The Flyers have plenty of height with three players in the 6-3 to 6-4 range. 

Clarence won its own tournament for the first time in the event’s 27-year history. The Red Devils’ motto this year is “no ball hits the floor.” Skyler Reinhardt, a senior setter, was MVP of Clarence Tournament. He runs multiple offenses very well and spreads the ball around. Brandon Hill is a three-year starter. The Red Devils handed Orchard Park its only league loss last year.

Williamsville South moved to 10-0 on Monday night beating Starpoint in three games. Second team All-WNY Anthony Podgorsak had 18 kills. The Billies were champions of the Maryvale Tournament led by the MVP performance of Joe Zanelotti. Steve Zaprowski and Zanelotti are returning ECIC II all-stars.

Cheektowaga senior Noah McGhee is among the team’s leaders in kills while junior Adam Reichert is a primary passer.

Lockport, winner of the North Tonawanda Tournament, returns 6-foot-8 middle Jason Donorovich. He’s expected to garner interest from Division I recruitiers for his size and skill. Senior setter Jack Whalen is the Lions’ career assist leader and an NFL all-star. This is Eamon Yates’ third year at libero.

Seniors Evan Koehler and Gregg Hart are three-year starters for West Seneca West, off to a 4-0 start in ECIC I.

Lancaster returns two outside hitters who started last year as freshmen — Jay Baumann and Ken Rudz. Starting setter Mike Spengler has proven effective on the right side playing in a 6-2 format. Tyler Witt, Matt Devic, Trevor Gabamonte and Joe Mescall are juniors who have filled in well. 

A threesome of seniors will help decide Kenmore West’s fate: Niko Mancuso, Mitch Maracle and Nestor Pascua.

Senior Tom Duszkiewicz was second-team All-Catholic for St. Francis. He’s a three-year starter along with Jack Moretti at setter and Dave Kennedy on the outside.

St. Joe’s, which earned a share of last year’s Monsignor Martin regular season title, returns second team All-WNY Ricky Crumlish, who led the team in kills last year.

Jordan Kydol is the only returning player for Cardinal O’Hara. 

Grand Island, winners of the Cheektowaga Tournament, is led by returning NFL all-star Brock Tetreault and second-teamer Mike Podgorney.


email: mmonnin@buffnews.com 

Stefani retires as OP coach
Mary Jo Monnin, Buffalo News
Monday September 23, 2013

Walt Stefani turned Orchard Park into a Western New York volleyball power. Buffalo News file photo

For the first time in 31 years, Walt Stefani is not on the sidelines for the Orchard Park volleyball team. The longtime coach retired after a career of helping shape the sport across Western New York, but will still be active as a volunteer assistant coach with the women’s volleyball team at Canisius College. 

Stefani led Orchard Park to a 559-159 record (a .779 winning percentage), won 17 ECIC championships, nine Section VI Class A titles, and three intersectional matches. He retired from teaching at OP in 2012.

He was coach of the Quakers for all but five seasons since 1979 and was the boys basketball coach from 1985-1994. His volleyball teams were undefeated in 1991 (25-0) and 2008 (34-0). In 2011 he was inducted into the WNY Men’s Volleyball Hall of Fame. He’s a seven-time WNY Coach of the Year.

Current OP coach Matt Lexner had shared the varsity coaching job with Stefani since 2001. He worked at his camp since 1992 and the Power Station Volleyball Club since 1994.

“He basically put Orchard Park volleyball on the map. Sweet Home, Orchard Park and Iroquois dominated in the ‘70s. When he finally started to beat those guys, Orchard Park had arrived and has been a powerhouse ever since,” said Lexner. “He brought Orchard Park volleyball from nothing to relevance, and from the best we can determine, probably the best Class A program in the state for over 20 years.”

Bulldogs volleyball wins
By: Buffalo News
Sunday September 22, 2013

Hamburg senior Patrick Stroh (left) was named MVP at Saturday’s Sweet Home Volleyball
Tournament as the Bulldogs beat Clarence in the final. John Hickey/Buffalo News

Patrick Stroh earned MVP honors leading Hamburg to the title of the Sweet Home Volleyball Tournament. The Bulldogs came back to beat Clarence in the final, 23-25, 25-21, 15-10.

Earning all-tournament were: Tyler English (St. Mary’s), Mike Spengler (Lancaster), Dale Payne (Clarence), Matt Dempsey (Clarence) and Zach Yerington (Hamburg).

“We could not shut him down,” said Clarence coach Kevin Starr. “We knew they were going to go to him, we tried to adjust to at least minimize the damage, he was that good.” 

• Joe Piotrowski was named MVP for North Tonawanda as the Jacks beat Grand Island, 26-24, 15-25 and 25-21 to win the Ken-Ton Tournament. Making all-tourney were: Niko Mancuso (Ken West), Justin Hake (Ken East), Brock Titral (GI), Michael Podgorney (GI), Ryan Fritz (NT) and Sam Weglorski (NT).

Results from the Kenmore Tournament
By: Buffalo News
Sunday September 22, 2013

Team
Finals North Tonawanda 26-15-25, Grand Island 24-25-21 Pool Play North Tonawanda 25-25, Kenmore West 16-17 Grand Island 25-25, Kenmore West 16-23 Grand Island 25-25, Kenmore East 18-11 North Tonawanda 25-25, Kenmore East 11-15 Kenmore West 25-22, Kenmore East 21-25 Grand Island 25-25, North Tonawanda 16-12

Individual
All-tourney team: Niko Mancuso (Ken West), Justin Hake (Ken East), Brock Titral (Grand Island), Michael Podgorney (Grand Island), Ryan Fritz (North Tonawanda), Sam Weglorski (North Tonawanda). MVP: Joe Piotrowski (North Tonawanda) 

Results from the Sweet Home Invitational
By: Buffalo News
Sunday September 22, 2013

Team
Finals Hamburg 23-25-15, Clarence 25-21-10 Semis Clarence 25-25, St. Mary's 21,16 Hamburg 25-25, Lancaster 19-21 Quarterfinals St. Mary's 25-21-15, Sweet Home 21-25-6 Lancaster 25-25, Wmsv. North 15-18 Hamburg 25-26, Wmsv. East 18-24 Clarence 25-25, Niagara Wheatfield 16-12 Pool A Clarence 25-25-25, Wmsv. East 21-15-21 Clarence 19-25-25, Wmsv. North 25-22-22 Wmsv. North 19-25-25, Wmsv. East 25-22-22 Pool B Lancaster 25-25-23, St. Mary's 22-19-25 Lancaster 25-25-25, Starpoint 13-18-11 St. Mary's 25-25-25, Starpoint 11-20-18 Pool C Hamburg 25-25-25, Sweet Home 10-20-14 Hamburg 25-25-25, Niagara Wheatfield 15-12-18 Sweet Home 25-23-25, Niagara Wheatfield 20-25-18 

Individual
All-tournament team: Tyler English (St. Mary's), Mike Spengler (Lancaster), Dale Payne (Clarence), Matt Dempsey (Clarence), Zach Yerington (Hamburg). MVP: Patrick Stroh (Hamburg). Patrick Stroh earned MVP honors leading Hamburg to the title of the Sweet home Volleyball Tournament. The Bulldogs came back to beat Clarence, 23-25, 25-21, 15-10, in the final. Earning all-tournament were: Tyler English (St. Mary's), Mike Spengler (Lancaster), Dale Payne (Clarence), Matt Dempsey (Clarence), Zach Yerington (Hamburg). 

Results from the Victor Tournament
By: Buffalo News
Sunday September 22, 2013

Team
Finals Victor Gold 25-25, St. Joe's 23-23 Semis St. Joe's 25-25, Victor Blue 11-17 Gold quarterfinals St. Joe's 25-25, Jamesville Dewitt 13-15 

Individual
All-tournament team: Joe Koszelak, Kyle Kirchberger (St. Joe's), Declan Pierce (Eden).

West takes match in five games
By: Buffalo News
Friday September 20, 2013

The No. 3-ranked West Seneca West boys volleyball team improved to 4-0 in ECIC I, but it needed to win a five-gamer against No. 9 Lancaster to get there. Evan Koehler had 15 kills and Dennis Ulmer added 10 for the visitors.

“We were not serving well all night and usually we’re a good serving team, but it was not going well,” said coach Brett Widman. “I think it was 20-18, and we still weren’t playing well and I put in” Steven Whitlow as a serving substitute “and he served five balls in a row that put Lancaster out of system where their hitting options were limited.” 

• In a rematch of last year’s Section VI Class A final, Frontier beat Orchard Park, 25-14, 25-19, 25-16. Pete Lotocki had a big match for the Falcons. OP won last year’s title in a memorable five-game match at Lake Shore.

St. Joe’s volleyball atop WNY rankings
By: Dave Ricci, Sports Reporter | Sports
Thursday September 19, 2013

It’s a nice start. But by no means is the St. Joe’s volleyball team satisfied.

Earlier this week, the Marauders held the top spot in the Western New York boys volleyball poll, up from the No. 5 slot they held in the opening week. 

While being ranked No.1 in the area is something the Marauders certainly take pride in, it’s just one step along the way to the ultimate goal.

“Basically what we said was be proud of it, enjoy it for a moment, but our number one goal is to win the Monsignor Martin championship,” said Marauders’ coach Mark Anzalone.

“This a great step along the way, absolutely,” he added. “But our goal is to be the Monsignor Martin champions.”

St. Joe’s lineup is loaded with experienced players led by co-captains Pat Galvin and Neil Conway. Galvin is a right side hitter, while the 6-foot-3 Conway is a force on the front row at middle blocker.

“I think we’re really excited about it, but we want to maintain focus,” Galvin said. “Our main goal is winning the Monsignor Martin championship. Being No. 1 in Western New York is obviously nice, but it’s really (about) how we end up in the season.”

Galvin said making the leap from fifth to the top spot in a matter of one week shows that the team is indeed making positive strides.

“We’re definitely gaining confidence everyday, every practice,” he said. “And when we saw we were No. 1 it raised every player’s confidence up big time. I think we’re going to be a heck of a team by the end of the season.”

The Marauders also have Peter Laux, an outside hitter, Brad Kreppel (right side), Joe Maiarana (setter), Richard Crumlish,Jr (outside hitter), Matt Molenda and 6-foot-6 Kyle Kirchberger.

Anzalone said with a roster made up entirely of seniors and juniors this team has the plus of three to four seasons of playing and growing together.

“The biggest thing that this team has is they really know how to work together,” said Anzalone. “They know where everyone is on the court. They’re very smooth. Everyone knows where to be and there’s a lot of experience out there and I think that is really showing up on the court.”

In this group, there are a plethora of returning players that were part of last year’s team which was ranked as high a second and finished as co-champions of Monsignor Martin. Canisius repeated as league champions by beating St. Joe’s in the final.

“We have, I want to say, five guys who started on that team starting on this team,” Anzalone said. “So those guys have game experience and pressure situation experience.”

Galvin agreed, saying that the time together on and off the court has helped the group forge that all-important chemistry.

“I think it’s a mentality thing,” said Galvin, “because most of volleyball is mental. Mental toughness. I think as a team we have great mental toughness.”

OP should make noise in tough league
Fall Sports Preview: Boys Volleyball
Thursday September 19, 2013

In all of his years of coaching, Orchard Park boys volleyball coach Matt Lexner doesn’t remember the competition in Western New York being so strong.

“This is going to be a crazy year. The league hasn’t been this wide open since 1989,” Lexner said. “Frontier, Lancaster, Clarence, Orchard Park, West Seneca West and Lockport all have a chance of winning the sectional title.”

The Quakers are coming off a season in which they were 11-1 in the league, 22-4 overall and the sectional champions. Orchard Park was a Regional finalist and was ranked the No. 1 team in WNY in the final rankings and No. 2 in New York State.

Nolan McArdle and Brian Manley are first-year captains for the Quakers. McArdle is one of thee best setters in the state and the only returning starter.

Among the new players expected to step up for the young squad will be outside hitters Manley and Martin Hackford.

“Serving is our strength, but we’re a work in progress,” Lexner said. “September will be a rough ride, but look for us to really make our move in early to mid-October.”

The Quakers return to action on Sept. 20 at Frontier.

Hamburg, Eden looking to challenge for Class B title
By:Michael J. Petro | Sports
Thursday September 19, 2013

TAKE A SWING — Patrick Stroh and Hamburg look to be a challenger among the Section VI
Class B field, which was won last year by Lake Shore. File Photo by Ron Larson.

Robert Pierce knows the landscape of Western New York volleyball and he expressed confidence there are at least several teams that could challenge for the Class B title. No surprise, his Eden team and Hamburg, both WNY powers, are among those projected challengers.

The Raiders may not have any seniors on what amounts to a small team number-wise, but they may have some of the best talent in WNY.

Hayden Herc, a 6-foot-4 junior, has learned how to play to his size and improved his footwork, so Pierce said the Raiders will get the ball his way very often. Joining him up front is fellow 6-4 middle Shane Smith, who’s improved his confidence and focus, according to Pierce. Also growing into one of the better players in WNY is sophomore outside Declan Pierce, who can score from almost anywhere on the court and has become a superior passer and improved his court sense, his father and coach noted.

Joining Pierce on the outside is Cole Overhoff, who is quick and excels on defense and at serving, according to his coach. Jake Schlagel has been growing as the team’s setter, despite not playing year-round, like many of the others. Also playing on the right side is sophomore Connor Jasinski. Classmate Mitchell Mason, who comes from the football team, is getting more comfortable in his role, while Mike Seggio has shown good court awareness, Pierce said.

Eden was one of only a few WNY teams to make it to the championship bracket of the Eden Pan Am Invitational, last week. But Hamburg beat Eden in a non-league match, winning in three close games.

Among Hamburg’s returning players are senior leftside Patrick Stroh, an all-division first team selection last year with a big jump; junior 6-foot-4 middle hitter Zach Yerrington; physical senior rightside Trevor Vail and junior leftsideDoug Horbachewski, whose well-roundedness has allowed him to contribute at several positions.

Also for Hamburg, sophomore Ryan Dils steps into the starting setter spot; junior Brian Camp has been a surprise at middle blocker and senior Ryan Filas will be a first-year starter at libero. Back row specialists include Chris Fuentes, Matt Touris, Charlie Gordner, Kody Omphalius and John-Francis Orozcom, while Tom Hoff has helped with his blocking.

“We have a high ceiling for improvement and we have a real nice team that is very unselfish,” said Hamburg head coach Brian Carroll, whose team took second at the Clarence Tournament.

Last season’s Class B champion Lake Shore is in a transition year, after graduating one of the volleyball program’s highest-ranked senior classes to ever step foot on the court. The Eagles won two straight sectional titles and, last year, advanced to the state title game after a Far West Regional victory.

Only senior libero Brad Owens remains from the starting six, while freshman Devin Joslyn and sophomore Kyle Wishman will be looked to in sharing setting duties, as well as passing and hitting. Sophomore Nathan Myers and junior Tyler Becker will play in the middle and juniors Gabriel Carruth and Michael Roach will bring athleticism and versatility to the outside, according to head coach John Coyle. Rounding out the roster are Steven Budniewski, Andrew Busch, Joe Nappo, Steven Duruski, Stone Garlow and Christian Gravius.

Frontier returns much of a team that battled Orchard Park to a five-game Class A championship match and looks to bring back the sectional crown the program won in 2010 and `11. Captains Dylan Durni and Jake Gleason, both Second Team All-Western New York selections, will play major roles in Frontier’s chance at a title.

Durni, a senior coming off a season in which he led the team in kills, has already been named all-tournament at Eden. Gleason, a four-year varsity junior, led the team in aces and assists. Also expected to be key players in head coach Bill Faust’s rotation are seniors Erik Hatten, who moves from middle hitter to opposite, after finishing second on the team in kills; Jeffrey Taylor, an outside hitter who played opposite last year, and Peter Lotecki, who led the squad in digs as its libero. Also, senior Tom Stoklosa, a standout in swimming and baseball, has joined the team this season and already become a factor at middle hitter. Newcomers include Tyler Tomasik, Matthew Buss, Andrew Heppner and Josh Zdon.

St. Francis has one of the most experienced teams in Andy Lanigan’s seven seasons, since taking over the program he once played for, but fellow Monsignor Martin teams St. Joe’s and Canisius are two of the top three ranked teams in WNY. Lanigan said he is hoping his team can rise to the challenge in the league, using a difficult schedule, heavily stacked with road games to start the season, to ready for the postseason.

Among six seniors on the team are three-year starting middle hitter Tom Duszkiewicz, a Second Team All-Catholic selection last year, and Jack Moretti, one of the taller setters in WNY who is also another weapon on offense. At outside hitter are two three-year starters in the taller Dave Kennedy and shorter Nick Novak, who Lanigan joked are like Mutt and Jeff, but both can sky into the air. Also returning to a starting spot is sophomore libero Jack Kaempf, who is back after breaking his arm, last season.

Key dates on St. Francis’ schedule include Sept. 26 for the Rock the Red Homecoming Game against St. Joe’s and then Oct. 2 for the annual Blackout Game against 13-time defending league champion Canisius. St. Francis, which took second at the Cheektowaga Tournament, will also play in the Hamburg Invitational on Oct. 19.

Canisius wins in five
Buffalo News
Thursday September 19, 2013

Good play in the middle gave Canisius a 25-23 win in the fifth set as the No. 2 Crusaders pulled out a tight match at No. 3 West Seneca West in a non-league boys volleyball game.

“Our passing improved and we had some key defensive plays,” Canisius coach Tom Weislo said of the fifth set. “We were able to score off our middle attack and that’s how we won the match. We got a side out for game point off our middle attack.”
Trevor Gooch had 27 kills and Brian Costello 41 assists for Canisius (7-2).

Blue Devils’ boys volleyball could surprise with help of newcomers
By: Dave Ricci, Sports Reporter | Sports
Wednesday September 18, 2013

When the Kenmore West boys volleyball team steps onto the court this season it might very well have the most interesting blend of veterans and rookies of any team in the Niagara Frontier League.

As the Blue Devils come into the 2013 season they will be led by senior co-captains Niko Mancuso and Mitch Maracle.

Nick Atallah and Nester Pascua also return for Kenmore West.

After that, well, it’s what coach Gary Tocke has playfully dubbed his “green team.”

Tyler Grandits, Noah Whalen, David Blumberg, Tyler Steubchen and 6-foot-5 Joe Gardon are all brand new to the world of varsity. 

In fact, Blumberg, Whalen and Grandits — who are in the West basketball program as well — have never played organized volleyball in their lives.

But Tocke feels they all bring a combination of athletic ability and a desire to learn.

When mixed with the returning veterans, it could add up to good things for the Blue Devils.

The key, Tocke said, is for the newcomers to watch and learn from the veterans.

“I tell the kids everyday, you guys that are green. Watch the guys that have played,” said Tocke.

“You might be a little bit taller than them. You might be able to jump a little higher. But guess what, they do things fundamentally a little better than you. So you can learn from them,” he added.

Tocke said he tells the younger players to view the experienced guys as mentors.

Maracle, who was pulled up to varsity late un his sophomore season said, that he and Mancuso are only too happy to help the newcomers in anyway they can.

“They’re front row players, so we’re trying to teach them how to hit well,” Maracle said. “And we’re helping them out in the back row and trying to help them get where they need to be.”

As a whole, the Blue Devils appear to be on the same page and eager to not only learn from one another, but also play for each other as well. 

Most of all, as a group, the Blue Devils have said they have the mindset of ‘We’re here. Let’s do our best and not take any game for granted.’

“We’ve got a couple of new players and we’re all a lot more enthusiastic and focused,” Maracle said. “And we want to win. We’re out here having a good time, but we still want to win.”

Surveying over his team with an optimistic glance, Tocke said he knows win or lose his team will give all they have. And in the end, that’s all he is really asking for.

“We could turn out to be a pretty competitive group,” he said. “We always strive to be competitive.”

The Blue Devils host the Gary Tocke Tournament on Sept.21, starting at 9 a.m.

Sectional finalist Bulldogs’ spikers rebuild behind Toms
By: Dave Ricci, Sports Reporter | Sports
Wednesday September 18, 2013

It’s a season of change for the Kenmore East boys volleyball team.

As the Bulldogs gear up for the 2013 season they will lean on the Tom and Tom combo to lead the squad.

Drake Dejesus, Kyle Patterson and Michael Crawford, who were the core of the program’s resurgence in recent years, have all graduated after taking the ‘Dogs to the Class B title game last season.

This season, co-captains Tom Barton and Tom Vancuran will lead a very young Bulldogs team that features just one other returning player — Justin Haeick, an outside hitter/middle blocker.

Barton will anchor the back row as his team’s starting libero, while Vancuran will set and play outside hitter.

Though the three returnees saw somewhat limited time last season, Bulldogs coach Kyle Horvatis said Barton and Vancuran have both taken a great deal of pride in being leaders and have shown early on they are ready to do whatever is asked of them.

Horvatis added that while both have been working hard and setting the right examples for their teammates, Vancuran has really emerged as a standout all-around player.

“He’s the only guy right now who possesses that all-around nature for the game,” said Horvatis. “He’s the closest that would come to Kyle Patterson or Mike Crawford, and he showed that last year, too, as a 10th grader.”

Horvatis stated that he thinks the rest of the team will learn and improve just by watching Vancuran and Barton.

Vancuran and Barton know that with a young team a lot is riding on their shoulders and they don’t want to let their teammates down.

“We want to show leadership and obviously help lead our team to success,” Vancuran said.

Though the Bulldogs are young, the plus side is that with so many guys having graduated it opens the door of opportunity to win starting jobs.

“I think that a lot of these guys they’ve stepped up and they understand the leadership role they have to take on the court,” Vancuran said. “And us veterans who are coming back we’ve helped them out and show them stuff.”

Horvatis said that, early on, Rob Mol at setter, Rhett Boswell (middle), Michael Rice (right) and Ben Leising (outside hitter/middle blocker) have made impressive strides and taken advantage of their playing time.

“They played very well (in our opener against Sweet Home) and they know the deal about what they have to do as well to be part of this year’s success,” Horvatis said.

The Bulldogs lineup also features Josh Emer and Nick Henry, both outside hitters, and Jeff Wolfe at libero.

Experienced NT boys spikers also driven by players not on court
By:Dave Ricci, Sports Reporter | Sports
Wednesday September 18, 2013

This season, when the North Tonawanda boys volleyball team hits the court, players won’t just be thinking about playing their best for the guys next to them.

They’ll be giving their all for those that didn’t make the cut.

As Jacks’ coach Luke Hodgson looked over his 2013 squad he was very pleased with what he saw. In fact, Hodgson was cautiously optimistic as he pointed out that this squad had a wealth of talent that was similar to the 2007 NT team that blazed to the NFL title with a spotless 14-0 league mark.

But along the way, Hodgson had to make some tough choices by cutting a few players. It’s something he didn’t want to have to do. 

For that reason, Hodgson is telling his team the perfect way to honor those who did and didn’t make the team, is making the most of your chance to play.

“This was one of the few years that we had to make cuts. And those guys that were cut they could all play,” Hodgson explained. “A lot of guys were from last year. 

“I just kind of said the guys who are here now, you owe it to the guys who got cut to perform at your utmost,” he added. “You can’t complain about being tired. You can’t complain about being bored. You’re here to win. And if you’re not, there are guys that would be more than happy to switch spots with you.”

Seeing teammates from last year’s squad not make the roster this year has driven home the message to every player that no one’s spot is secure. And it’s about keeping up effort and attitude.

“We all realize that could be us,” Donovan Book said. “If we don’t put in the effort, we could be cut. So everyday we’re just working as hard as we can.”

Hodgson said the increased interest in varsity goes hand-in-hand with the growth of the junior varsity and modified programs.

The Jacks are built with a core of veterans in seniors Joe Piotrowski, Ryan Fritz, Brandon Lavocat and Max McCabe, as well as juniors Donovan Book and Sam Weglarski.

Depth and versatility are working in the Jacks’ favor as Hodgson feels his players can be slotted into various roles and that his top seven or eight guys are all capable of starting.

Another plus of the depth is that it has sparked a fire under every player every single day because players know that just one moment of slacking off or a half effort could cost them playing time. 

So the Jacks walk into the gym every day ready to give their best and draw the best out of each other.

“It has [worked] already,” Hodgson said. “I haven’t seen this kind of hustle in a very long time, which is good.”

From an X’s and O’s perspective, Hodgson said the increased tempo in practice allows them to work on more game-related situations, as opposed to reverting back to the re-teaching of basics.

“It’s great knowing we’re all together on the team,” Book said. “We’re all working hard, helping each other out. We’re all friends on the team. We all work together. I think we’ll work great together, as a whole.”

Joseph Karl, Zach Krisnosky, James Davignon, Griffin Spatorico, Victor Willison, Damian Brady, Michael Awad, Robert Johnson and Kyle Brady complete NT’s opening day roster. 

NT hosted its annual tournament on Sept. 7.

Amherst boys volleyball rebounds against Holland
Amherst Bee
Wednesday September 18, 2013

Amherst’s varsity boys volleyball team bounced back from an 8-25, 11-25, 11-25 home loss to Eden Sept. 9 with a 25-18, 25-14, 25-14 home victory over Holland Wednesday.

Evan Hill recorded five kills and six aces and Alex Touma recorded 10 assists against Holland.

“We responded well to our previous loss with 12 aces and 13 kills as a team,” Amherst coach Paul Wlosinski said. “This helped us gain control of the match.”


Wlosinski said his team had a difficult time serve-receiving against Eden, the powerhouse of ECIC III. 

The Tigers closed out the week at the Cheektowaga Tournament, beating Iroquois, 25-13, 25-21, losing to Kenmore West, 21-25, 25-27 and splitting games against Cheektowaga, 25-22, 20-25, in pool play.

Key contributors for the Tigers against Iroquois were: Hall (five kills, three blocks), Greg Zimmerman (four kills), Touma (nine assists) and Dante Merrill (four aces).

“We started the day very well and played consist ently,” Wlosinski said. 

Wlosinski said he was proud of how the team played against Kenmore West, a Niagara Frontier League team.

“We communicated and were aggressive on defense,” Wlosinski said. “I’m proud of how hard we played.”

Leading the Tigers were: Hall (seven kills, five digs), Merrill (five kills, three digs), Touma (13 assists) and Zimmerman (10 digs).

Wlosinski knew his team would have a tough match against Cheektowaga.

“We have a huge division rivalry against them and it was great to start the season off this way,” he said. “I know our players look forward to competing against them this season (home on Sept. 25, away on Oct. 17).

Hall had six kills and Touma had seven assists against Cheektowaga.

Amherst (1-2, 1-1) traveled to Maryvale Tuesday, but information about the match was unavailable before press time. They host Depew Thursday.

WSW set for showdown
Buffalo News
Wednesday September 18, 2013

West Seneca West, the third-ranked team in the WNY Boys Volleyball Coaches Poll, cleared the decks for Wednesday’s showdown against No. 2 Canisius by sweeping Williamsville North, 25-18, 25-17 and 25-16, in their ECIC I match Tuesday. Gregg Hart led the Indians with six kills.

No. 4 Clarence took a grueling match from No. 9 Lancaster, 25-23, 26-24, 21-25 and 25-19, in a meeting of ranked ECIC I teams. Jake Baran had 16 digs and Dale Payne and Brandon Hill 10 kills each for the Red Devils (7-1, 3-0).

Elsewhere, fifth-ranked Williamsville South improved to 8-0 overall and 3-0 in ECIC II by rallying from a first set loss to defeat Sweet Home, 21-25, 25-14, 25-20 and 25-21. Anthony Podgorsak led the Billies with 12 kills and six aces while Ryan Nigro had 10 blocks. … In ECIC III, eighth-ranked Eden defeated Depew in straight sets, 25-13, 25-14 and 25-18. Declan Pierce had nine aces and eight assists for the Raiders (2-0).

St. Mary’s volleyball stuns St. Joe’s
Buffalo News
Tuesday September 17, 2013

The St. Mary’s boys volleyball season got off to a memorable start with an upset of St. Joe’s, the No. 1-ranked team in Western New York. The unranked Lancers went four games before stunning the Marauders on their own floor in a Monsignor Martin Association match played on Monday. St. Mary’s senior Tyler English had 18 kills and sophomore Alex Hokaj added 10. “Tyler was hitting over the St. Joe’s blocks and was just overpowering today,” said coach Keith Koch.

St. Mary’s won the first game 25-18, but the Marauders came back to win the second 25-17. St. Mary’s won the third game, 25-23, and put the match away with a 25-15 decision in the fourth game. “We got up 5-1 to start the fourth game, and once we got that lead, we kept building on it,” said Koch. “During timeouts the kids were loose and joking around. They had a great opportunity, and they were confident they could get the job done.”

Western New York 2013 Boy's Top 10 Poll - 9/17/13
September 17, 2013

Upcoming Games
Buffalo News
Tuesday September 17, 2013

The No. 4 Clarence boys volleyball team hosts a pair of key matches in ECIC I when No. 9 Lancaster visits today and No. 7 Hamburg comes to town on Thursday. … No. 3 West Seneca West hosts No. 2 Canisius as part of homecoming on Wednesday . . . Orchard Park travels to No. 6 Frontier on Friday. … The Ken-Ton and Sweet Home Tournaments are Saturday while Eden travels to the Victor Tournament.

Cheektowaga Invitational
Buffalo News
Saturday September 14, 2013

Finals Grand Island def. St. Francis 25-23, 25-12 Semi Finals Grand Island def. Cheektowaga 25-19, 25-11 St. Francis def. Kenmore West 25-14, 25-16 Pool A Cheektowaga v. Kenmore West 24-26, 25-22 Amherst def. Iroquois 25-14, 25-16 Cheektowaga def. Iroquois 25-14, 25-15 Kenmore West def. Amherst 25-21, 27-25 Amherst def. Cheektowaga 25-22, 25-20 Kenmore West def. Iroquois 25-8, 25-7 Pool B Maryvale def. Kenmore East 25-23, 25-21 Grand Island def. St. Francis 25-22, 25-18 St. Francis def. Kenmore East 25-20, 25-15 Grand Island v. Maryvle 25-20, 20-25 St. Francis def. Maryvale 25-11, 25-19 Grand Island def. Kenmore East 25-17, 25-22

Spikers lose at WS West
Sun Staff | Sports
Thursday September 12, 2013

The Red Raiders fell to host West Seneca West in four sets: 25 – 20, 25 – 18, 11 – 25 and 25 – 21, in their first road match of the year, Sept. 2. The Red Raiders competed all night, but came up short. St. Francis senior setter Jack Moretti led the team with 25 assists, while classmate Tom Duskiweicz led the team with 11 kills. Senior Nick Novak recorded eight kills, while sophomore Jake Kaempf led the team with 13 digs. The Red Raiders then traveled to Orchard Park, last week.

Eden one of final WNY survivors as host of Pan-Am volleyball tourney
Johnathan Snyder, Reporter | Sports
Thursday September 12, 2013

There was no bias when Eden head volleyball coach Robert Pierce said he believed the Pan-Am Invitational, held at his home team’s high school, has become the best volleyball tournament in the state.

With 16 teams’ coming from all parts of Western New York, Rochester and beyond, he has a reason to think the 36th annual tournament scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7 will bring some of the best volleyball talent around to Eden.

Eden was among the Buffalo-area schools, including Frontier and St. Joe’s, to advance to the quarterfinals of the championship flight, but it was the Rochester teams that Pierce said stood out the most.

“Every coach would equally admit this, they love getting into [this tournament],” he said. “You can’t take a point off. Good luck getting out of pool play, finishing one or two, and tomorrow the tournament could have run and probably another team could’ve advanced. It’s that tough.”

Penfield took down Fairport, to claim the 2013 crown. It was the first time since 1995 that Penfield competed in the tournament, according to Coach Mike Fusar. 

St. Francis Swings Away Elsewhere locally, Tom Duszkiewicz is pictured
taking a big swing in St. Francis’ recent match with Orchard Park. 
Photo courtesy of Ron Larson.

St. Joe’s was the only WNY school to reach the semifinals. Frontier was taken down by the eventual champion Penfield, and St. Joe’s by Fairport. Eden lost to McQuaid Jesuit in the quarters.

The tournament was set up with four pools, each with four teams. There was high level competition in each pool, highlighted by McQuaid from Rochester, which is the defending Section V and state champion in Division I.

The individual talent, along with the overall team talent, was noteworthy, according to Pierce. The tournament featured many players who are part of the USA volleyball program and have lengthy family histories in the sport.

“We were really honored that they invited us to come here,” Fusar said. “Schedules and conflicts kind of prevented us from coming. Then [Pierce] invited us back this year and we were glad to make it. It’s really one of the best tournaments in the whole state. We got to play the top teams in Buffalo and two other top teams from the Rochester area. We got to play a lot of top schools. It was a great opportunity for my kids.”

Eden, which is a smaller Division II school, competed against some of the large Division I schools. During the quarterfinals against McQuaid, after falling in the first set, the Raiders rallied to win the second, 33 – 31, before eventually losing the decisive third set.

“We put it together and played one of our best matches against that McQuaid team,” Pierce said. “It was fun.”

Eden is a nine-time winner of the tournament, which leads all schools. McQuaid is a two-time winner with its most recent title in 2011, with a victory against Frontier in the finals. The Falcons are also a three-time winner of the event, including taking a title in 2012.

The tournament is a true test of not only volleyball skill, but of mental toughness and stamina, according to Pierce. Fairport played 11 matches of volleyball, to win the championship. The tournament started at 8 a.m. and finished a little before 6.

Locals Declan Pierce of Eden, the coach’s son, and Dylan Durni of Frontier, were named to the all-tournament team.

Divisional play is Eden’s next focus, as it will open the season against Maryvale this week.

Robert Pierce said that he feels good about the level at which his team is playing and expects to continue the program’s success in Erie County Interscholastic Conference Division III.

Co-ECIC II champion Sweet Home returns all-stars
Amherst Bee
September 11, 2013

Sweet Home varsity girls volleyball coach Britini Trapasso sees a lot of promise on this year’s team.

“It’s a promising team but we have to put it all together,” Trapasso said. “The newer girls have to step it up and the returning players need to be bigger and better than last year. If we’re on our game, we should be tough to beat.”

The defending co-ECIC I champion returns four starters: senior captain Jenna Reeser (outside hitter), junior captain Emma Hubert (middle hitter), and sophomores Rachel Reusch (6-foot middle hitter) and Claire Hiwiller (setter).

All four earned postseason honors last season. Reeser, a varsity player since she was a seventh-grader, earned All-ECIC honors last season.

Reeser sharpens her skills playing on a national club team for Niagara Frontier. Reeser will play next year at Daemen College.

“She’s intense, hustles and is very motivating if the team is down a few points,” Trapasso said.

Reusch and Hiwiller are returning ECIC II First Team selections and Hubert is a returning ECIC II Second Team pick.

New starters include juniors Victoria Rigler (libero) and Emily Carver (outside hitter).

Sweet Home split its opening matches to the season, losing a non-league match against Clarence, 18-25, 25-23, 22-25, 22-25 Sept. 3 and beating Lake Shore, 25-13, 25-9, 25-15, at home Friday. Reeser recorded eight kills and Hiwiller recorded 24 assists.

The Lady Panthers played Iroquois Tuesday, but information about the match was unavailable before press time. They host Starpoint Thursday.

Western New York 2013 Boy's Top 10 Poll - 9/10/13
September 10, 2013

Sweet Home boys volleyball coach pleased with team’s attitude  
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
9/9/13

It’s early in the 2013 season but Sweet Home varsity boys volleyball coach Rich Cicero has been pleased with the effort he has received from his players.

“I have a great group of kids focused on winning games and improving themselves,” Cicero said. “I’m pleased with the effort and attitude as far as keeping their head on the court and making good decisions. When they make those decisions, we play better.”

The Panthers are led by senior captains Taylor Sutherland (6-foot-5 middle hitter), Ben Miller (left side/outside hitter) and Corey Allen (setter).

Sutherland, a returning ECIC II Second Team All-Star, can do it all, said Cicero.

“He can hit, set and has a great jump serve,” Cicero said. “He can do a lot of things well.”

Cicero said Allen, a returning starter, is making good decisions with his passing and bringing up the level of play.

Also returning is senior James Nix, an athletic 6-5 middle hitter.

The rest of the starting lineup is juniors Connor Heald (left side hitter) and Mike Belluz (libero). Juniors Justin Okun and Mitchell Meza are battling for the starting spot at right side hitter. Junior Wesley Caliguiri will contribute as a setter.

Connor Heald of Sweet Home comes up with the
block against Derek Burghardt of Clarence during
 the Panthers’ 17-25, 15-25, 22-25 road loss Sept. 3.
Photo by Patrick McPartlandPurchase 

The Panthers are 2-1 through their first three matches, beating Kenmore East and Kenmore West in three games and losing to Clarence in three games. They also competed in the Clarence Tournament, splitting games with Eden and Amherst and losing to Canisius.

Cicero is hoping his team can be in contention for the ECIC II title.

“It’s going to be really competitive,” Cicero said. “No one is weak. It’s up for grabs.”

In another matter: Sweet Home will also be hosting the inaugural Sweet Home Boys Volleyball Alumni Reunion Tournament from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Sweet Home High School gym.

Interested former Sweet Home players are asked to donate $15 to the Sweet Home boys volleyball booster club.

“A lot of people forget how great our boys volleyball program was in the 70s and 80s,” Cicero said. “There were a lot of Division I players that came out of Sweet Home. I know a lot of the guys would love to come back and relive some of the memories.”

For more information, contact Cicero at rcicero@sweethomeschools. org or friend him on Facebook.

Amherst hoping hard work leads to victories  
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
9/9/13

If the Amherst boys volleyball team continues to put in the work, coach Peter Wlosinski is optimistic of what his players are capable of this year.

“I’m hoping hard work and determination of each player can lead to the success of the team,” Wlosinski said. “It’s not always about getting the victory. Improving is our main focus right now.”

The Tigers are led by senior captains Evan Hall and Alex Touma.

Hall, a 6-foot-4 middle blocker, led the team with 60 blocks and was second in kills with 86. He is a returning ECIC III Second Team All-Star. He can also play in the back row.

“He’s a consistent player,” Wlosinski said. “He’s smart, hits well and understands his role. He shows a lot of good leadership.”

Wlosinski said Touma, a 5-8 outside hitter, is one of the most consistent passers on the team.

Other seniors who will be starting are Dante Merrill (5-10 setter), Myron Harvey (6-foot right side hitter) and Greg Zimmermann (5-10 outside hitter). Of the three, Harvey is a returning starter.

The team’s other middle blocker is 6-2 junior Ethan Ahuna.

Junior Ben Touma starts at libero.

Other players on the roster include juniors Javier Fox (5-10 defensive specialist/middle blocker), Conor Brinkworth (5-9 defensive specialist) and Harmanjeet Singh (6-0 right side/defensive specialist).

Amherst opened its season by losing to St. Francis, 30-15, in the bronze division final of the Clarence Tournament Aug. 31. In pool play, Amherst lost to Canisius, 11-25, 9-25, and Eden, 19-25, 11-25, and split with Sweet Home, 25-23, 16-25. The Tigers beat Iroquois 30-25 in the first match of the bronze division.

Amherst lost its regular season home opener against Williamsville South, 13-25, 11-25, 12-25, Sept. 3.

Wlosinski said he has noticed growth every day from his players.

“I’ve noticed a lot of growth,” he said. “Our communication and passing has improved. The kids are having fun and showing their love of the game.”

Amherst, 7-5 in ECIC III and 7-12 overall last year, hosted Eden Monday, but information about the game was unavailable before The Bee went to press. The Tigers host Holland Wednesday.

South wins inaugural Maryvale Tournament  
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
9/9/13

The Williamsville South varsity boys volleyball team is off to a great start to the 2013 season.

The Billies, ranked eighth in Western New York large schools, lost only one game in pool play on their way to winning the inaugural Maryvale Tournament Aug. 31 and recorded non-league victories against Amherst, 25-13, 25-11, 25-12, Sept. 3 and fourth-ranked large school Lockport, 29-27, 26-24, 25-17, last Wednesday.

“After the Lockport match, I asked the Lockport coach how you think we can stack up with other teams and he said that we can compete with anybody,” South coach Thom Knab said. “It’s up to us. We have to perform on the court.”

Knab credits a lot of the early season success due to the experience of the returning players, led by 6-foot senior captains Anthony Podgorsak and Steve Zaprowski.

Podgorsak, a four-year starter, is a returning All-Western New York Second Team outside hitter who led the Billies in kills last season. Podgorsak was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Maryvale Tournament.

Zaprowski is a returning ECIC II First Team outside hitter who was originally brought up during his freshman year.

Knab said both have developed into incredible serve-receivers, provide a good attack and use their experience to cover the court. 

Other returning league all-stars include 6-foot-3 junior middle hitter Christian Graziano (ECIC II Second Team, led team in blocks last season, named to All-Tournament Team of Maryvale Tournament) and 6-foot sophomore setter Joe Zanelotti (ECIC II First Team).

Knab said Zanelotti is developing into a mature player, makes good decisions and places the ball well for teammates. He recorded 78 assists to garner MVP honors at the Maryvale Tournament. South beat Grand Island, 25-17, 25-19, in the tournament final.

Seniors Kenny Stuber and Austin Collins are sharing playing time at libero.

Other starters include seniors Austin Baker (middle hitter) and junior Ryan Nigro (right side hitter).

Rounding out the team are seniors Will Atkinson (middle hitter) and Barrett Lacey (outside hitter), juniors Brendan Bratton (middle hitter), Braedan Gillman (right side), Paul Jager (outside hitter), and Tyler Langl (outside hitter), and sophomore Shawn Barbalato (middle hitter).

Williamsville South Varsity Boys, Champions at inaugural Maryvale Tournament

Overall, Knab said the team is very balanced and has no second gear.

“It could be game point for the other team and they play all out,” Knab said.

South tied for second place last year in ECIC III with a 9-3 record and finished 15-9 overall.

The Billies hosted West Seneca East Monday, but information about the team was unavailable before press time. They travel to Iroquois Wednesday and host Williamsville North Thursday. 

Flames learning on the fly, return three players  
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
9/9/13

There is a lot of unknown on the Williamsville East varsity boys volleyball team.

The Flames return only three players from last year’s 12-7 team that lost to Kenmore East in the Section VI Class B quarterfinals. Coach Mike Braunscheidel said he is shuffling many of the newer players to determine the best combination for a starting lineup.

“We are kind of learning on the fly as we go, but I definitely expect us to be a better team at the end of the season,” Braunscheidel said.

Two of the returning players are the team captains and the only returning starters — 6-foot-2 seniors Michael Wisniewski (outside hitter) and Alex Wehrlin (middle hitter).

“They lead on and off the court and demand excellence and the most from all of the players on the team,” Braunscheidel said. “When practice or a match is not going well, they are there to pick the team up.”

The other returning starter is junior libero/back row specialist Dylan Cicero, a three-year varsity player.

“He’s all over the floor,” Braunscheidel said. “If the ball is in the air, he’s going to get it off. He’s consistent from the service line, and is knowledgeable on the court at helping the other players with positioning in the back row.”

The rest of the team is new to varsity and in some cases, to the sport.

Filling in starting positions at the beginning of the season as of press time are junior first-year player Cort Williams (6-2 middle hitter) and juniors Patrick Irving (setter/weak side hitter) and Matt Millace (setter).

Junior first-year player Kyle Williams (outside hitter), Aaron Parks (outside hitter) and Joe Adcock (outside hitter) are battling for a starting position.

Other new players are seniors Eric Marecki (utility player) and Leo Marecki (outside hitter) and juniors Zach Feller (libero).

East opened its season at the Maryvale Tournament Aug. 31, losing two games to St. Mary’s of Lancaster, splitting games with Grand Island and beating West Seneca East.

“I was pleased with the effort considering it was the first time playing for many kids,” Braunscheidel said.

North boys volleyball starts from scratch 
From Amherst Bee
9/9/13

The 2013 version of the Williamsville North varsity boys volleyball team looks almost nothing like last year’s squad that finished 12-8.

Only two players who regularly saw time in the starting lineup return, senior captains Connor Mergler (6-foot-4 outside hitter) and Will Stryker (setter, three-year varsity player). They are the only seniors on the roster.

Juniors Sam Cimato (6-2 outside hitter), Dylan Lambert (6-2 right-side hitter) and Owen Green (6-3 right-side hitter) were on last year’s varsity team but saw limited action.

Newer players who will contribute are juniors David Lyskawa (setter), Jeff Calderson (back row/setter), Jackson Collis (libero), Bill Kong (right side), and sophomores Noah Chojnacki (outside hitter), Maceo Jack (6-3 middle hitter), Connor Thomas (back row/set) and Ryan Green (utility).

“It will be a growing year,” North coach Mike Minnuto said. “We’ll take our lumps a little bit, but we should gain maturity. We have a lot of younger kids who are excited to play. We’re looking to be competitive in every game.”

Maceo Jack of Williamsville North slams the ball during the 
Spartans’ season-opening match at Lancaster Monday. The 
Spartans lost, 9-25, 17-25, 13-25. Photo by John NormilePurchase 

North played at Lancaster Monday, but information about the game was unavailable before press time. The Spartans host Clarence Wednesday and travel to Williamsville South Thursday.

Eden Pan-Am  
From Buffalo News
9/8/13

Lancaster’s Jay Baumann goes up against Bethany defenders at 
Eden Pan-Am Boys Volleyball Tournament. Photos by 
James P. McCoy and John Hickey/Buffalo News