Bay embracing Rocky River rematch

Making it to the regional final has eluded Bay for the past two seasons, but the Rockets are back in the elite eight.

After coming up short in last year’s regional semis, Bay got over the hump this year to defeat CVCA, 18-13, and will play for the Division II, Region 5 title at Rocky River on May 24.

With a spot in the Region 5 finals on the line to face Rocky River last year, the Rockets were excruciatingly close to making it. However, their season came to an end at the hands of Walsh Jesuit, 109. After a convincing win over CVCA this year, Bay is back where it hoped to be for the second time in program history.

“We’ve been talking about it before the season even started,” Bay coach Victoria Budzyn said. “The girls have their goals, their eyes set on big things this year. We’ve kept that in mind the whole year just working on getting better. Getting to this point is obviously a huge win for us, and we’re ready to go to the regional finals.”

To add even more to the drama of making it this far, is the looming rematch with Rocky River. The Pirates have been dominant this season with only three losses, including two of them to teams still in the tournament. River cruised against almost every Morning Journal area team this season, except for Bay. In the two teams’ only meeting on April 20, the Pirates won 11-7.

“We’re so excited, we can’t wait,” Riley LaVogue said. “We’ll take our best shot.”

If anybody is capable of giving Rocky River a best shot around here, it’s Bay. The Rockets had over a week off between the regular season finale and first playoff game against Padua on May 18. During that time, the team talked about making it to this point after coming so close in 2022. In the past week, Bay has won three playoff games to punch its ticket.

“It’s awesome, this is what we’ve been working for,” LaVogue said. “We had our off period, and every single day was about getting here. We did it together and that’s the best part.”

With that being said, the Pirates have imposed their will in the postseason. In the regular season opener, Rocky River defeated Revere, 8-7. In the second to last regular season game on May 4, Bay staved off the Minutemen in overtime, 12-11. River got its rematch with Revere in the regional semis on May 23, winning in much more impressive fashion, 15-2.

The Rockets have the offensive personnel to keep up with River, but this game promises to be a lower-scoring game than the 18-13 win over CVCA to make it here. It will be a challenge, but it’s the one that Bay has been waiting for. This team made it to this round for the second time, and they’re looking to win the regional title for the first time.

“We are ready, it’s going to be a great game,” Budzyn said. “We’re excited to be there, we’re excited to play. It’s great to make it to the regional final, but we’re not done yet.”

(1) ROCKY RIVER VS. (2) BAY

What: Division II, Region 5 final

Where: Rocky River

When: 6:15 p.m., May 25

Records: Rocky River 16-3, Bay 17-3

Rocky River’s path: Def. Toledo St. Ursula, 22-2, Westlake, 17-3and Revere, 15-2

Bay’s path: Def. Padua, 17-2, Avon Lake 17-4 and CVCA, 18-13

Up next: Winner advances to the Division II State semifinal to play Hathaway Brown or Chardon at a neutral site.

Perez’s pick: