The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
‘Stota surges past VVS
VERONA, N.Y. » The first time coach Shae Sgroi and the Canastota boys volleyball team visited coach Alex Rose and their Vernon-Verona-Sherrill counterparts, the Raiders bested the Devils and took first place at the Spiking in the New Year Tournament.
Going into a regular season contest on Tuesday, Sgroi had her reservations with some players missing.
“We have a couple of our key players that aren’t here today because they weren’t eligible to play, so I wasn’t really sure what was going to happen.”
Her worries were soon alleviated.
Even though the Raiders were missing two of their starters, the result was no different as they swept the Devils 25-19, 25-14, 2521.
Filling the void of the Raiders’ roster was Stan Jakubik, who just received medical clearance to play.
“We weren’t really sure what to expect [fromJakubik] because he hasn’t played in sixes in a game situation with us yet, so I was pleasantly surprised that it went as smoothly as it did,” said Coach Sgroi.
In Jakubik’s first appearance he led his team in kills with ten. In addition, he also contributed with two aces, three block kills, and three digs. Finding Jakubik and other hitters was Canastota setter Ethan Findlay, who led the Raiders with 18 assists. Defensively, Matthew McDermott and Lucas Barnello led with Raiders with McDermott tallying eight digs and Barnello with seven.
CoachRose and the RedDevils knew what they were going into in Tuesday’s contest.
“They’re good... we went into the game expecting them to hit hard and block hard.” said Coach Rose.
Rose knew the contest would be a hard-fought one and expected two factors to decide the game.
“We definitely played with them a little more in the first and last set when we didn’t play scared... our defense and leadership was what was going to make or break the game,” said Rose.
“I was impressed with Kyle Greene and his ability to hold the team together, and I think if we had a little more of that than tonight’s contest could have been a different story.”
In addition to his leadership, Greene contributed two kills, three block kills, and two digs. Colten Terrier found several ways to contribute for the Devils, collecting ten assists, three kills, two block kills, and one dig. Leading
the team defensively was Cole Smith who dug six balls.
With the loss, VVS falls to 2-1 and will look to bounce back Thursday, Jan. 17, where they will face the Chittenango Bears at Chittenango.
The Raiders i mprove to 3- 0 and will look to stay unbeaten as they host the Mount Markham Mustangs Friday, Jan. 18.