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Others Receiving Votes and appearing on two or more ballots: Kean 4

Two teams mentioned on only one ballot for a total of six combined points. 

Next Poll: February 26, 2013 

Poll conducted and distributed by the AVCA

Others Receiving Votes and appearing on two or more ballots: Loyola-Chicago 7; UC San Diego 4; UC Santa Barbara 4; George Mason 3 

One team mentioned on only one ballot for a total of seven combined points. 

Dropped Out: UC Santa Barbara 15 

Next Poll: February 25, 2013 

Poll conducted and distributed by the AVCA 

Others Receiving Votes and appearing on two or more ballots: Hawai'i 15; Loyola-Chicago 3
One team mentioned on only one ballot for a total of one combined points.
Next Poll: January 21, 2013

Poll conducted and distributed by the AVCA

Lake Shore Ends Season for Williamsville South  in Section 6 Class B Semi-Final
11/4/12

Summary: LS (18-4): Bill Pinter 10 kills, 4 blocks; Connor Govenettio 9 kills, 4 blocks 

Recap: The Lake Shore boys volleyball beat Williamsville South 25-17, 25-16, 25-20 in a Section Class B semifinal match played on Sunday. Bill Pinter had 10 kills and Connor Govenettio added nine as the Eagles moved to 18-4. The Eagles, also winners of the ECIC II title this year, will play for their second straight Sectional championship on Wednesday when they hosts Kenmore East at 6 p.m.

Kenmore East reaches Section 6 Class B Final with win over Williamsville East
11/4/12

Summary: Kenmore Eest defeated Williamsville East 3 sets to none to advance.

Orchard Park Sweeps West Seneca West in Section 6 Class A Semi-Final
11/3/12

Summary: OP (21-3): Kevin Donohue 10 kills, Nolan McArdle 30 assists 

Recap: Kevin Donohue pounded 10 kills and Nolan McArdle had 30 assists as Orchard Park (21-3) swept West Seneca West, 25-19, 25-18 and 25-6, to advance to the title match.

Frontier defeats Lockport 3-1 in Section 6 Class A Semi-Final
11/3/12

Summary: F (12-8): Spence Avery 12 kills, 5 aces; Eric Hatten 7 kills, 4 blocks; Jake Gleason 33 assists 

Recap: Orchard Park and Frontier will meet for the Section VI Class A Boys Volleyball championship at 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Lake Shore after each advanced with semifinal wins on Saturday. Frontier (12-7) upset Lockport in four sets (25-15, 22-25, 25-12 and 25-23) on the Lions' home court to make it to the title match. 

Canisius, St. Mary’s repeat as volleyball champions
By Aaron Mansfield
The Buffalo News
11/3/12

When Canisius senior David Jepson broke his leg in May, he knew he had to get back on the volleyball court to lead his team to a Monsignor Martin championship. Just as he was strong enough to play again, the Crusaders lost their first conference match in 12 years to St. Joe’s on Sept. 26.

He got redemption, and did it in style, on Friday night.

It’s safe to say Jepson, who complements explosive athleticism with a mighty punch when he wallops the ball, has fully recovered. He fueled Canisius to its 13th consecutive Monsignor Martin championship in straight sets (25-18, 25-22, 25-21) over St. Joe’s. In the first match of the night, St. Mary’s steamrolled Immaculata in the girls championship.

Canisius’ student section, the “Blue Crew,” hoisted Jepson on their shoulders as they boisterously chanted “I believe that we have won” following the game.

“It feels great to end my career like that and to continue our streak,” said Jepson, who struggled to catch his breath after the game. “[The loss] definitely motivated us. We kept working harder in practice and focused more.”

Bleachers full and tensions high, host site St. Francis High School was a land of no surprises Friday night. Undefeated St. Mary’s throttled second-place Immaculata Academy in straight sets. The powerful, powder-blue Lady Lancers jumped out to a 13-1 first-set lead and never slowed down. The Bears couldn’t snare St. Mary’s scintillating spikes and fell 25-8, 25-14, 25-19.

The boys final was a more competitive affair before it started. St. Joe’s and Canisius, age-old rivals, split the regular season series. The Marauders (15-5) hung tough in every set in the championship, but Canisius pulled away with clutch late-game hitting and crucial leadership from Jepson.

“It’s almost heroic, his comeback,” said Canisius head coach Tom Weislo, who was in the gym when Jepson broke his leg. “It was dramatic. It was horrible. And to his credit, his work ethic, he could have quit and said: ‘I can’t do it; it’s going to be too much.’ But he worked harder than anybody I’ve ever seen to get back.”

While Canisius finished the year 25-5, St. Mary’s has not lost a set in league play in two years. The Lady Lancers were the only team to beat Immaculata (11-3) this season. Sophomore Leah Meyer dominated the net game, earning MVP honors.

Though Friday night was the Crusaders’ last match of the season, while St. Mary’s will play in the New York Catholic High School Athletic Association state tournament in two weeks.

Great Pride
Ed Chan
Volleyball Magazine
11/03/12

Women's beach volleyball medal ceremony-London 2012

The women’s beach volleyball medalists—including U.S. gold and silver winners, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, and Jen Kessy and April Ross—watched as their flag was hoisted in front of arena full of proud fans and a wall of media photographers.

Originally published in November 2012 

Williamsville South upsets Eden 3-1 in Boys Class B Quarterfinals
11/2/12

Summary: WS Anthony Podgorsak 17 kills 

Recap: Williamsville South advanced to the Class B boys volleyball semifinals behind Anthony Podgorsak's 17 kills in a 3-1 victory over Eden.

Williamsville East upsets Grand Island 3-2 in Boys Class B Quarterfinals
11/2/12

Summary: WE: Matt Whiting 5 blocks; Dylan Cicero 35 digs 

Recap: Williamsville East went back and forth with Grand Island until the teams finally settled matters in the fifth set as the Flames downed the Vikings, 3-2: Matt Whiting finished with five blocks and Dylan Cicero 35 digs for the Flames, who won the final set, 25-21.

Kenmore East Advances over North Tonawanda 3-1 in Boys Class B Quarterfinals
11/2/12

Summary: KE: Michael Crawford 7 aces; Kyle Patterson 15 kills 

Recap: Kenmore East moved up to 16-2 overall after defeating North Tonawanda, 3-1. The Bulldogs Michael Crawford finished with seven aces and Kyle Patterson 15 kills.

Lake Shore defeats Hamburg 3-0 in Boys Class B Quarterfinals
11/2/12

Summary: L: Ryan Joslyn 16 kills; Billy Pinter 12 kills 

Recap: The Billies move on to face Lake Shore, who defeated Hamburg in another quarterfinal matchup, 3-0. Ryan Joslyn finished with 16 kills and Billy Pinter added 12 for the Eagles.

St. Joe’s, Canisius to play for MMA volleyball title
11/1/12

They were co-champions in the league standings and split their regular season meetings. So it’s no surprise that Canisius and St. Joe’s will meet in the Monsignor Martin Association boys volleyball championship tonight at 5 at St. Francis.

In Thursday’s semifinals, St. Joe’s defeated St. Mary’s/Lancaster, 25-17, 25-22, 25-16, and Canisius swept St. Francis, 25-5, 25-8, 25-13.

“It will be an exciting match and an exciting night,” St. Joe’s coach Mark Anzalone said. “This being the rubber match, it should be exciting. The teams are pretty even going in.”

The strength for the Marauders (16-3) has been a balanced attack and solid play by the defense. In its semifinal win, Jack Heary had 25 assists, distributing the ball among his teammates.

“We had great balance tonight and contributions from all our guys,” Anzalone said. “That’s been the way we’ve been rolling all year. All our guys contribute. We have great balance offensively and I think they help each other out.”

For Canisius (24-5), David Jepsen had 13 kills and Brian Costello 10 aces. Aggressive serving has been the key of late for the Crusaders.

“Our jump serves were very effective in keeping St. Francis pinned back most of the match,” Canisius coach Tom Weislo said. “We’ve spent a lot of time practicing it and we’ve been getting better the second half of the year. 

North volleyball plays tough in league defeats
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
The Amherst Bee
10/24/12

Williamsville North’s boys volleyball team has won only four matches in ECIC I this season, but it is not because of a lack of effort.

Over the last two weeks, North has lost to Orchard Park, the top-ranked large school in Western New York, in five and four games, respectively, and twice to Clarence, ranked fourth in large schools, in five games.

The Spartans also lost to Frontier, ranked eighth in large schools, 25-27, 25-22, 23-25, 23-25.

“We’re playing the best schools in Western New York and we’re competitive in every single game,” North coach Mike Minnuto said. “Minus a point here and there, we’re not getting beat by a lot.”

Mistakes have cost the Spartans some victories. Minnuto said the first time they played Clarence they won the first two games and had three chances to win the third game, but had unforced errors. The second time they played Clarence, the match was tied at 23-23 in the fourth game and a North player served the ball into the net.

“It can be frustrating at this point of the season because we should not be beating ourselves,” Minnuto said.

North (10-7) has won all of their non-league matches against Maryvale, Williamsville South, Williamsville East, Amherst, Starpoint and Lockport.

The Lockport victory, a 24-26, 30-28, 26-24, 25-19, held on Oct. 16 was big because the Lions are one of the top teams in the Niagara Frontier League.

Tyler Penberthy had 14 kills and Marc Peterson added nine kills.

Penberthy leads the Spartans in kills and blocks.

Setter Mike Szelazkiewicz leads the team in assists.

Minnuto said other players are playing well at times but for the team to have success in the upcoming sectional tournament, they all need to be playing consistent.

“We have to play to the best of our abilities,” Minnuto said.

North traveled to Hamburg Tuesday, but information about the match was unavailable before The Bee went to press. 

Former player honored in feel-good night at OP
10/22/12

It was more than just a senior night. For the Orchard Park boys volleyball team it was a chance to pay tribute to a former player and give back. Before the Quakers took the floor for their nonleague matchup with Eden on Wednesday the team honored former standout Peter Brady. 

Brady, 19, fractured his C3 and C4 vertebrae in a swimming pool accident in May. He is paralyzed from his shoulders down. He played for the Orchard Park varsity team from 2008-10, and was an All-Western New York first team player his senior season. 
“The boys and girls teams have been fundraising all season with bake sales, car washes, concession stands,” OP coach Walt Stefani said. “They were able to give him a check for a little over $3,000 to help defray his medical costs. I’m sure this is the same at other schools, but the kids at Orchard Park, they rally together and try to help whenever they can. In 2010, when Peter was on the team, they all rallied to support my wife who was diagnosed with breast cancer. With all the stuff you hear about teenagers, it’s good to hear about things like this.” 

Brady also received a framed, autographed jersey from the Ohio State volleyball team on which his former teammate, Mike Stefani, plays. Brady was honorary captain for the night and got to cheer his alma mater on to a win. 
The top large school in Western New York improved to 19-3 with a 25-16, 25-15, 25-10 victory over Eden. 
Tyler Eagleton had 12 kills, Nolan McArdle 27 assists and Trey Cimorelli 13 digs for the Quakers.

Peter Brady honored at Orchard Park 

Orchard Park Tournament
10/13/12

Team: Finals Orchard Park 25-25, Hamburg 21-14 Semifinals Orchard Park 25-25, Clarence 22-17 Hamburg 25-25, Lake Shore 21-15 Quarterfinals Lake Shore 25-27, St, Joe's 18-25 Clarence 26-25-15, Maryvale 28-21-5 Pool A Orchard Park 25-25, Maryvale 20-18 Lake Shore 25-25, St. Francis 19-10 Orchard Park 25-32, Lake Shore 22-30 Maryvale 25-25. St. Francis 22-20 Orchard Park 25-25, St. Francis 12-19 Lake Shore 25-25, Maryvale 13-21 Pool B Hamburg 25-25, Eden 22-17 St. Joe's 25-23, Clarence 18-25 Hamburg 25-25, St. Joe's 18-19 Clarence 25-25, Eden 21-19\ Hamburg 23-25, Clarence 25-15 St. Joe's 26-25, Eden 24-16

Individual: MVP: Trey Cimorelli (OP) All Tournament: Skyler Reinhardt (Clar)< Billy Pinter (LS), Patrick Stroh (Ham), Connor Krolikowski (Ham), Tyler Eagleton (OP), Kevin Donohoe (OP). 

The Orchard Park boys volleyball team finished an up-and-down week by defending its title in the 29th Orchard Park Invitational. The Quakers started the week with a win over St. Joe's in five games, and then were upset by Clarence on Friday night. 

"We beat St. Joe's in a very emotional match, then we come to Clarence and I think we just didn't prepare well," said OP coach coach Walt Stefani. "The lesson learned is not to look past people. I didn't know what to expect today and they were unbelievable. I think they reclamined themselves as a team. They didn't lose a set all day." OP beat Hamburg in the final 25-21, 25-14. 

A rematch vs. Clarence came quickly as OP beat them 25-22, 25-17 in the semifinals. Libero Trey Cimorelli was named tournament MVP after averaging close to seven digs per set. Named to the All-tournament team wre Skyler Reinhardt of Clarence, Billy Pinter of Lake Shore, Patrick Stroh of Hamburg, Connor Krolikowski of Hamburg, Tyler Eagleton of Orchard Park and Kevin Donohoe of Orchard Park.

High School Boys Volleyball: Hamburg, Frontier, Lake Shore see how they measure up
Michael J. Petro
10/11/12

Erik Hatten (left) and Frontier came from two games down to beat Hamburg 
on Friday (Oct. 5) in an ECIC I match. (Photo courtesy of Ron Larson)

Every contending team can use that mid-season barometer game or match to see how they measure up.

Last week, defending sectional champions Frontier and Lake Shore, along with Class B finalist Hamburg, got those types of tests playing against one another. It made for some fine play and back-and-forth results.

In a matter of three days, Hamburg went from passing a litmus test in a rematch of the Class B championship against Lake Shore to providing just as significant of a lift for cross-town rival Frontier as a young Falcons squad came from two games down to defeat the Bulldogs.

After sweeping Lake Shore in three games, coming back in both Games Two and Three, on Oct. 2, Hamburg looked well on its way to doing the same against ECIC Division I foe Frontier.

However, the Falcons stormed back Friday (Oct. 5) on their home court for a 25-27, 19-25, 25-19, 25-22, 27-25 win. Hamburg, which sat in second behind Orchard Park in ECIC I, had beaten third-place Frontier in four games earlier this year.

“It’s been a roller coaster compared to last season,” said Frontier head coach Bill Faust, whose team lost four All-Western New York selections to graduation. “We’ve been looking to maintain that mental focus in matches from the start. Against Hamburg, things came together for us after that second game. I hope we can maintain that and that the victory leads to better execution.”

Senior Spencer Avery led the comeback with 17 kills, while Dave Piniewski, making only his second start at libero, contributed several big digs at key moments in the match.

After Hamburg squeaked out the fist game then won soundly in the second, Faust implored to his players to regain their focus and give the team a chance to win by extending the match. 

“I wasn’t extremely happy with our game preparation,” he noted. “I told them the longer we played, the better chance we would have. It was a gritty match by both teams.”

Faust also credited the entire Hamburg team as one of the Bulldogs’ players made an “honor call” on a ball that was ruled out but clearly was in, ending a crucial rally toward the end of Game Five. “That took a lot of integrity,” Faust said. “You don’t see that quite often. 

Now at 6-3 in division play, Frontier actually experienced a wake up call shortly before the Hamburg match when ECIC front-runner Orchard Park came in to the Falcons’ gym and easily handled them in three games. Since, Faust said it was an opportunity for some of his team’s leaders to step up.

Among them have been sophomore third-year varsity player Jake Gleason, who has moved from libero to setter in taking over Faust’s complex offense, along with middles Erik Hatten and Derek Hoskin and outsides Dylan Durni and Avery.

“Orchard Park came in here and swept us off our feet,” Faust said. “It really made us reevaluate our goals and our preparation.”

Dane Cala (far right) has helped Lake Shore remain unbeaten in ECIC II. However, the 
Eagles were beaten last week by Hamburg in a rematch of last year’s sectional title match. 

Hamburg beat Lake Shore, a team widely considered the favorite to repeat as Class B champions, 25-19, 29-27, 27-25, in a long match for one that ended in a three-game sweep. Last season, the two teams played even longer when they met, battling to three five-game matches, Lake Shore winning them all including in the sectional final.

“That was a tough loss to Hamburg and losses are never great but sometimes they could be a god thing,” Lake Shore head coach John Coyle said. “They measure where you are and what you need to work on. They exploited some of the stress points that we need to work on. That’s why you play these matches and then you build from there.”

After dominating for much of Game One, the Bulldogs were down four points in both games two and three and managed to comeback. Carroll said it was a big-time performance from his team, which has many players adjusting to larger and changing roles.

“It was not really any redemption match; it was more of a defining match for us,” Carroll said. “Our team has so many new players that they are still trying to find an identity and this win goes a long way in helping them define themselves as well as their team identity. I guess this is a team with no quit. Hopefully they can be a team that plays with a lead as well.

Tony Guzzetta led a key performance from Hamburg’s blockers with six, to go along with 28 assists. The passing of Connor Krolikowski, Patrick Stroh and David Suchan was solid for most of the match, according to Carroll. He noted that it’s been the blocking that’s been the difference in many matches for Hamburg.

Carroll also praised Lake Shore senior setter Billy Pinter, who he believes may be the best all-around player in Western New York. 

“He gives them an honest swing no matter what the pass is like,” Carroll noted of Pinter. “A team’s defense has to be ready against them at all times and a team’s block has to really focus on him as a setter because he can put the ball where he wants every time he gets his hands on it.”

While trying to make things difficult on Pinter, Hamburg also went after Lake Shore’s best hitter, senior Ryan Joslyn, successfully wearing him down by delivering about 40 serves his way over the course of the match, according to Coyle.

“Ryan’s been a our go-to-guy and Hamburg knew that going in,” Coyle noted. “I’ve been getting on some of our other guys to step up and help us balance things out, especially against the bigger teams.”

Coyle is looking for consistent production from his outsides Dane Cala and Tyler Freeman and is confident they will step up. He said Connor Govenettio has been bothered by some shoulder problems that has limited the outside somewhat.

The senior-laden Lake Shore, which starts only one junior, libero Brad Owens, still sits alone and unbeaten in first place in ECIC II at 7-0. The Eagles have received some competition from Williamsville South and Williamsville East, but tests like the one against Hamburg are essential in keeping the team focused and ready in preparing for the playoffs.

“East is athletic and big, and South has a few guys that give you some problems, so if you don’t come out and play hard against them, they can beat you,” Coyle said. “That’s why a match with Hamburg is so good for us.”

While Hamburg and Frontier are done playing for this season with the Falcons attempting to defend their title in Class A and the Bulldogs remaining in Class B despite moving up a division, it may not be the last time Lake Shore meets its cross-town rival.

Barring seeding that doesn’t allow for it or a run by another contender such as ECIC III leader Eden, chances are Lake Shore meets Hamburg again in a Class B finals rematch.

“It’s games like these that make high school sports so fun,” Carroll said. “The kids on both teams played well and were part of a pretty close and exciting match. I hope that these two teams meet in the finals.” 

Lake Shore and Hamburg will continue to be tested during the stretch run of the season as they travel to play in the Orchard Park Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 13. Among the eight-team field will include the host team, St. Joe’s, Lake Shore, Hamburg, Clarence and St. Francis.

South volleyball takes runner-up at Lockport tourney
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
The Amherst Bee 
10/10/12

Williamsville South boys volleyball coach Thom Knab thought his team had a good shot at winning the Lockport Tournament Saturday, and they almost did.

West Seneca West defeated Williamsville South, 20-25, 25-17, 26-24, in the final. South had taken runner-up at its own tournament a week earlier.

“I was really proud of them,” Knab said. “Their finals match was one of the best matches they have played so far this year, so you can really see our growth. It was a matter of one or two points going a different way and the kids would be a champion.”

The Billies’ performance in the finals was a far cry from how they fared in pool play against West Seneca West, losing 17-25, 16-25.

“We did not do anything right,” Knab said. “We did not pass, talk or cover the court well.”

However, the Billies woke up after facing West, defeating Niagara Wheatfield, 25-22, 25-21, and North Tonawanda, 25-19, 25-12, in pool play and then knocked out host school Lockport, 25-23, 25-16, in the semifinals.

“They did really well, especially with how they started the day and how they finished,” Knab said. “They were like completely different teams.”

Junior outside hitter Anthony Podgorsak and freshman setter Joe Zanelotti were both named to the All-Tournament Team.

Podgorsak recorded 37 kills throughout the tournament.

“He can hit from the front row and back row and is pretty successful in both spots,” Knab said. “He’s developing into a player that can almost really pick the spot he wants to hit.”

Zanelotti handed out 48 assists throughout the tournament.

“Our serve-receive players, Anthony Podgorsak and junior Steve Zaprowski, started to pass really well, which allowed Joe to set much better because he is hitting where the ball needs to be, which makes it easier to run the offense.”

The team’s other setter, junior Kenny Stuber, recorded 26 assists in the back row.

Zaprowski, an outside hitter, recorded 27 kills.

Sophomore middle hitter Christian Graziano recorded 10 blocks.

Ryan Nigro, a sophomore right side hitter, posted 12 kills. Knab said many of Nigro’s kills occurred in the semifinals and finals.

Earlier in the week, South improved to 7-1 in ECIC II after beating West Seneca East, 25-9, 25-20, 25-9, at home Oct. 2 and posted a 25-13, 25-21, 25-21 win at Iroquois Thursday.

Podgorsak posted 12 kills against Iroquois and eight kills versus West Seneca East.

Lockport Tournament
10/6/12

Team: FINALS W.S.West 20-25-26, Wmsv. South 25-17-24 SEMIFINALS Wmsv. South 25-25, Lockport 23-16 W.S. West 25-31, St. Francis 8-29 POOL PLAY Blue Pool Lockport 25-25, Ken West 21, 17 St Francis 25,-25, Starpoint 23-18 Lockport 25-25, Starpoint 16-16 St Francis 25-25, Ken West 18-14 Lockport 25-28, St. Francis 22-27 Starpoint 25-25, Ken West 14-16 Gold Pool Nia.-Wheat 25-25, N. Tonawanda 23-22 W.S. West 25-25, Wmsv. South 17-16 Wmsv. South 25-25, Niag. Wheatfield 22-21 W.S. West 25-25, N. Tonawanda 15-22 W.S. West 25-25, Nia.-Wheat 23-20 Wmsv. South 25-25, N. Tonawanda 19-12

Individual: All-Tournament: Gregg Hart (WSW), Shaun O'Brien (WSW), Anthony Padgorzak (WS), Joe Zanelotti (WS), Joel Larson (Lkpt), Tom Duszkiewicz (St. Fran).

Canisius sweeps in volleyball
10/3/12

Canisius bounced back from its loss to St. Joe’s last week by sweeping three sets from St. Francis, 25-14, 25-13 and 25-19, in Monsignor Martin boys volleyball. Trevor Gooch led the way with eight kills.

Elsewhere in Monsignor Martin, St. Mary’s of Lancaster swept Bishop Timon-St. Jude, 25-22, 23-25, 25-11, 25-17, as Tyler English had 10 kills for the Lancers.

South boys volleyball loses tourney final, edges Williamsville East in ‘Dig Pink’ match
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
The Amherst Bee 
10/3/12

Williamsville South fell one match short of repeating as champions of their own boys volleyball tournament, losing Saturday’s final to Williamsville North, 21-25, 19-25. South won the tournament four years ago and took second three years ago.

“I thought we played real nice ball for most of the day,” South coach Thom Knab said. “Against North, we hit a bad stretch of passing and we could not run our offense effectively. That turned out to be the difference.”

South went 5-1 in pool play, beating Cheektowaga, Starpoint, Lockport, Williamsville East and St. Mary’s of Lancaster and losing to Williamsville North, and then beat St. Mary’s of Lancaster, in semifinals, 25-21, 25-22

Junior outside hitters Anthony Podgorsak and Steve Zaprowski were both named to the All-Tournament 
Team.

Steve Zaprowski earns a kill off 
of a set by Joe Zanelotti

“Up until finals, they did a good job with passing the ball as well as a really solid attack,” Knab said.
Podgorsak recorded 35 kills throughout the tournament.

Knab also lauded the play of freshman setter Joe Zanelotti.

“He’s starting to come into his own and has a sense of where to be on the court,” Knab said.

Williamsville North won the Williamsville South Tournament for the second time in three years. 
Members of the team, from left, are: first row — Connor Mergler, Tyler Penberthy, Mike Szelazkiewicz, 
Marc Peterson; second row — Scott Kiely, Connor Gust, Justin Fillmore, Sam Cimato; 
third row — Coach Mike Minnuto, Zach Morrison and Dylan Lambert. 
Owen Green and Cameron MacDonald are missing from the photo.

South is 5-1 and in second place in ECIC II. The Billies’ only loss came to Lake Shore. They have beaten West Seneca East, Iroquois, Sweet Home, Williamsville East and Starpoint. They split non-league matches, beating Amherst and losing to North.

Two days earlier, the Billies beat Williamsville East, 23-25, 25-20, 25-14, 25-21, in South’s “Dig Pink” event as a fundraiser for Side Out, a national organization for breast cancer research. South and East players wore pink shoelaces, South players wore pink socks, the court was lined with pink, and both teams played with a pink, white and black ball.

Podgorsak recorded 13 kills and sophomore Christian Graziano posted six solo blocks. 
Williamsville East 

The Flames rallied from a 23-18 deficit to beat Lockport, 25-23, in pool play and advance to the semifinals of the South Tournament where they lost to Williamsville North in three games, 11-25, 25-23, 28-30.

“We missed opportunities and made errors at critical times in the match,” East coach Michael Braunscheidel said.

Middle hitter Alex Wehlrlin and outside hitter James Purkiss were both named to the All-Tournament Team.

“Alex was steady from the service line and continued to gain confidence while in the front when he was hitting,” Braunscheidel said. “It boosted the team’s confidence that we did not have to rely on two or three people. We were able to spread the ball around. James continued to keep everyone’s head up, be a team leader and showed that he was worthy of his captaincy as chosen by the players on the team.”

Other highlights of the season so far for East were defeating Iroquois in a five-set match and taking runner-up at the Sweet Home Tournament.

At the midway point of the season, the Flames are 3-3 in ECIC II and 3-5 overall.

Michael Wisniewski has passed the ball to the setter 85 percent of the time on serve-receive where they can make a playable ball.
When in the right spots, the back row defense of Michael and Tom Wisniewski and Purkiss has gotten the ball up 99 percent of the time.

Mike Wisniewski leads East with 54 kills, Matt Whiting leads the Flames with 12 blocks

Mike Wisniewski, Purkiss and Whiting’s attack percentage for keeping the ball in play and over the net is 89 percent each.
Wehrlin has not missed a serve all season.

Overall, the team has performed for all categories at 59 percent. Braunscheidel would like that to increase to 80 percent. To do that, he hopes the team can stay a little more focused on the court, setting up blocking opportunities better and working on back row positioning and coverage of their hitters and blockers.

East played at Starpoint Tuesday, but information about the match was unavailable before The Bee went to press. 
email: pnagy@beenews.com

Webster Schroeder Invitational
9/29/12

Team: FINALS Orchard Park 25-21-25, Penfield 22-25-22 SEMIFINALS Orchard Park 25-25, Spencersport 14-16 QUARTERS Fairport 25-25, West Irondequoit 18-17 Penfield 25-25, Webster 20-13 Spencerport 25-25, St. Francis 21-22 All tournament team: Kevin Donahue (OP), Trey Cimorelli (OP). MVP: Tyler Eagleton (OP)

Individual: FINALS Orchard Park 25-21-25, Penfield 22-25-22 SEMIFINALS Orchard Park 25-25, Spencersport 14-16 All tournament team: Kevin Donahue (OP), Trey Cimorelli (OP). MVP: Tyler Eagleton (OP)

Williamsville South Tournament
at Williamsville South HS
9/29/12

FINALS Williamsville North 25-25, Williamsville South 21-19 BRONZE MATCH St. Mary’s/Lanc. 25-25, Williamsville East 20-20 SEMFINALS Wsmv. South 25-25, St. Mary’s/Lanc 21-22 Wmsv. North 25-23-30, Wmsv. East 11-25-28 

All-tournament: Mike Swalaskowitz (WN), Anthony Podgorsak (WS), Steve Zaprowski (WS), Alex Wehrlin (WE), James Purkuss (WE), Tyler English (SML), Marc Gonzalez (SML). MVP: Tyler Penberthy (WN).

High School Extra: Quakers dig out win over Hamburg
9/24/12

In a match that could rival any sectional final, the Orchard Park boys volleyball team edged Hamburg in a four-game contest that on numerous occasions brought the roaring crowd to its feet. The play was solid on both sides as OP held on to win 25-21, 25-23, 17-25 and 28-26.

OP entered the match ranked No. 2 in the WNY coaches poll while Hamburg was No. 3. Libero Trey Cimorelli was the difference-maker with 32 digs and Kevin Donahue had 17 kills as OP moved to 7-2 overall.

"It was a real tight match, we'd get a little bit of a lead but their libero kept making play after play," said Hamburg coach Brian Carroll.

Kenmore Tournament
Boys
9/22/12

Individual
Gary Tocke Tournament Finals Grand Island 25-25-25, Ken. East 27-22-21 Pool play N. Tonawanda 25-21, Ken. West 14-25 Grand Ialnd 25-25, Ken. West 16-17 Ken. East 25-25, Ken. West 16-17 Grand Island 25-25, N. Tonawnada 23-19 Ken. East 27-25, North Tonawanda 25-12 Grand Island 25-25, Ken. East 22-19 MVP: Brock Tetreault (GI) All-tournament: Tyler Rymarczak (KW), Ryan Fritz (NT), Kyle Patterson (KE), Michale Croford (KE), Kyle Burns (GI), Adam Hefka (GI) Grand Island beat defending champion Kenmore East 25-27, 25-22, 25-21 to win the 4th annual Gary Tocke Volleyball Tournament, formerly the Ken-Ton Tournament. Brock Tetreault ofGrand Island was named the event's MVP. "It was of the best finals I've ever seen," said tournament namesake Gary Tocke, the coach at Kenmore West. "They were both after each other, playing very competitively, It was point against point." Named to the all-tournament was Tyler Rymarczak (Kenmore West), Ryan Fritz (North Tonawanda), Kyle Patterson (Kenmore East), Michale Croford (Kenmore East), Kyle Burns (Grand Island), Adam Hefka (Grand Island).

Sweet Home Invitational
Boys
9/22/12

Final Hamburg 25-22-15, Wmsv. East 13-25-13 Semifinals Hamburg 25-25, Lancaster 15-21 Wmsv. East 25-27, Eden 23-25 Quarterfinals Hamburg 25-25, Starpoint 13-10 Wmsv. East 25-9-15, Clarence 22-25-11 Lancaster 25-25, Wmsv. North 23-18 Eden 25-25, Sweet Home 22-19 Pool A Wmsv. North 25-25, Sweet Home 14-19 Lancaster 25-20, Eden 18-25 Clarence 25-25, Starpoint 22-17 Hamburg 25-25, Wmsv. East 15-9 Sweet Home 25-27, Eden 18-26 Wmsv. North 25-25, Lancaster 17-21 Hamburg 25-25, Clarence 18-22 Wmsv. East 25-25, Starpoint 18-21 Sweet Home 25-25, Lancaster 15-21 Wmsv. North 25-20, Eden 18-25 Clarence 25-18, Wmsv. East 12-25 Hamburg 25-25, Starpoint 21-13 

The scar that begins at the nape of Dakota Sheffield's neck and ends near his lower back is nicknamed "The Question Mark,'' which is apt considering its shape and the uncertainties that followed. 

The wound is the result of an 80-foot plunge off a cliff, a fall so horrible doctors feared Sheffield would never walk again let alone play volleyball, his primary sport at Eden High School. A little more than a year later, Sheffield is jumping around like a burst of energy, setting up teammates as a key cog on the powerhouse Eden boys volleyball team. 

"I wanted to show people that a little 80-foot cliff ain't gonna stop me from doing the sport I love,'' Sheffield said. 

Sheffield's return could lead the Raiders to a 30th sectional championship, something that didn't seem possible after his accident on June 13, 2011. 

Sheffield and his friend, Jake Ehrig, were fishing near Belnap Road in Eden, when the ground caved in around him as he was walking. Ehrig reacted quickly and probably saved Sheffield's life. 

"My buddy grabbed me from behind because I was falling face first,'' Sheffield said. "He tried hanging onto to me but his wrist broke, and he let go of me and I fell straight down.'' 

Sheffield landed on his tailbone, and while he didn't lose consciousness he couldn't move. He fractured several bones, including his T5 vertebrae, which was crushed into his spinal cord causing temporary paralysis. He had staples placed in his stomach and internal bleeding caused by damage to his spleen which was eventually removed. Sheffield also underwent surgeries on his back and elbow. 

Sheffield's stay at ECMC lasted nearly two months - 11 days in the ICU and another 40 under doctor's care. Slowly, he regained movement in his legs but doctors weren't optimistic about his long term recovery. 

"The doctors told my parents I might not be able to walk again,'' Sheffield said. "I proved them wrong by walking out of the hospital on the last day.'' 

But Sheffield was not only forced to miss his junior season of volleyball, he couldn't compete in bowling or baseball, either, while undergoing rehabilitation. 

"I did a lot to try and overcome this horrible, horrible accident,'' he said. "I had to learn to walk again one step at a time. I wanted to play, but I couldn't because I had to let me body heal.'' 

The test came over the summer when Sheffield played beach volleyball and declared himself fit to play for Eden. 

"I wanted to play for my town," he said. "Sure enough I came out and I'm trying to help out all the kids who are on varsity, trying to step up as a leader and I want to win. That's my goal, to win. . I came back because I love the sport, I love my teammates and I came to win. I didn't think I'd ever be able to play the sport again, ever. I thank God that I was able to play the sport." 

No one was more surprised, and grateful, than Eden coach Robert Pierce, who values Sheffield's leadership. 

"I did not expect him to play ever again for me," Pierce said. "He's a funny kid, he's quirky, and I think one of his gifts as an athlete is he doesn't have a long memory and if he makes a mistake he says, 'I'm just going to go out and try again.' This kid was thrown a serious curve ball but he just went out and said, 'I'm going to do what I have to do.' " 

And here he is, the smallest member on the team running around like a near tragedy never happened. This time last year he was in a wheelchair, trying to learn to walk again. 

"A lot of kids maybe would have cast blame and not work hard to come back from something like that," Pierce said. "But he said, 'Life's rough and I'm going to overcome it and I'm going to get back and compete.' Determination is his gift and he's really determined to make the most of his senior year." 

email: rmckissic@buffnews.com

Boys volleyball outlook: Jepson's attitude over injury is no accident 
By Mary Jo Monnin
The Buffalo News Sports Reporter
9/17/2012

David Jepson of Canisius High went through a gamut of emotions after breaking his leg this offseason playing volleyball, but self-pity wasn't one of them. 

On the same weekend Jepson snapped both bones in his leg after his momentum carried him into a volleyball standard, another young volleyball star, Peter Brady of Orchard Park, suffered a life-altering accident. Brady broke his neck and suffered a spine injury after he dove into the shallow end of a friend's pool. He's been at ECMC ever since, paralyzed from the chest down. 

"There are more serious things that have happened to people," said Jepson. "Like I know that same weekend Pete Brady had an unfortunate injury with his spine, and I knew mine wasn't that bad, so that helped me at least fight back." 

Jepson was competing at the East Coast Championships in Richmond, Va. when he broke his tibia and fibula. He had a rod surgically implanted into his leg and was told he would be sidelined for six months. "My leg got caught under the net system. I was on the ground yelling for 30 minutes before the ambulance got there," he said. 

Jepson's projected return by his doctors would have forced him to miss his senior year with Canisius, but he proved a quick healer. After a summer of rehab and workouts he was back in the lineup for the Crusaders' season opener Sept. 1 at the Clarence Tournament. He worked his way in, just playing in the back row. Canisius went on to win the title of the 16-team event. 

"I'm happy I was able to stick with it because a lot of times I was really frustrated," he said. "I tried to keep working because I still wanted to play again. The toughest part is mostly knowing what you could do before and then trying to do it now and not being able to and watching other people being able to move." 

Jepson is the reigning Player of the Year in the Monsignor Martin Association. He has designs on leading the Crusaders (21-4 last year) to their 13th Catholic playoff title in a row. 

Canisius is a young team in terms of experience. Senior Alec Cowe is an outside hitter, who was second team All-Catholic. He's a good passer, defender and a crafty hitter. Junior Brian Costello has taken over as setter for the graduated Jack Fleming. The libero is senior Taylor Johnson. Mike Taboni and Zach Schurr return from last year. Sophomore Trever Gooch has worked his way into the starting rotation as one of the outside hitters. 

"All those guys have had a really good preseason, and we're just trying to figure out some lineups that are going to work right now," said coach Tom Weislo. "We're on track so far to where we want to be this early in the season." 

Jepson had 13 kills in Monday's win over Cardinal O'Hara. The Crusaders improve to 9-2 with Iroquois on tap today. Over the weekend Canisius played strong in reaching the finals of the Victor Tournament. 

Brady has long road to recovery 

Brady's mother, Jane, asked on Sunday night that whatever was written about her son's condition, "don't make it be a downer. His spirits are still good. He's an inspirational kid." 

At the time of the accident, Brady was home for the summer after spending his freshman year at the University of Pittsburgh. 

He spent the first month after his accident in the intensive care trauma unit at ECMC. Around the end of June he was moved into an acute care unit. Jane said the family is looking into moving him into an out-of-state rehab facility that specializes in spinal cord injuries. 

Brady remains close to the local volleyball community. As a high school senior he earned first team All-Western New York honors for the Quakers and was a longtime member of the Eden Volleyball Club. He turned 20 on Monday. 

Jane said her son still doesn't have a lot of movement, but he's showing signs of improving. 

"ECMC is like this jewel. The people there are caring, talented and devoted," said Jane. "I don't have anything but great things to say." 

A website has been set up for Brady: www.caringbridge.org/visit/peterbrady.

David Jepson (Canisius)

Defending champions 
Class A: Frontier. 
Class B: Lake Shore. 
Monsignor Martin: Canisius. 
ECIC I: Frontier (12-0) 
ECIC II: Lake Shore (12-0) 
ECIC III: Eden (12-0). 
Niagara Frontier League: Grand Island and Lockport (11-1).

Frontier looks to fill the spots left after five starters graduated. Jake Gleason, an ECIC I all-star libero as a freshman, moves to setter. Senior outside hitter Spence Avery and middle hitter Derek Hosken are captains. Juniors Jeff Taylor and Dylan Durni, the younger brothers of former Falcon standouts, improved their games in the offseason through club. Junior middle Erik Hatten got his season off to an impressive start earning all-tournament at Clarence. Junior Peter Lotocki checks in as libero. The Falcons look for quality minutes from seniors Shawn Fischer, David Piniewski and junior Patrick Quinlivan. 

Lake Shore won a real confidence-builder match, beating Frontier in three straight to start the season. The match featured long rallies and close games. "They're always a top team, this was kind of a good gauge of where we sit, and I'm glad we came out on top," said Eagles coach John Cordier. 

Senior Billy Pinter is a returning All-WNY first teamer at setter. Pinter, along with middle hitter Ryan Joslyn and outside hitter Connor Govenettio are three-year members of the varsity. Joslyn was second team All-WNY. 

At the Clarence Tournament, Lake Shore lost in the semifinals Canisius. They made a good showing at the Eden Tournament, falling to McQuaid of Section V in the quarters. 

Look for Eden to be playing its best volleyball at the end of the season. Coach Robert Pierce said junior Jake Schlegel and senior Dakota Sheffield are good athletes who are looking to become more savvy and increase their volleyball IQ. 

"I expect when they get going, we're going to be fine," said Pierce. "I think it's a very even year. In the A's and B's there are about five teams that are all going to be there. The overall level isn't as high where we want it to be collectively, but it's time for some of the younger guys to set up in and we'll see how it goes." 

Senior Ryan Vondell is a returning ECIC III all-star, freshman Declan Pierce is an explosive player who was chosen to the USA Select A-1 Team. Six-foot-4 sophomore middle Hadyn Herc made the USA Select continual team. 

NFL co-champ Lockport returns a pair of two-year starters, junior setter Jack Whalen and junior libero Eamno Yates. The Lions graduated seven and brings back a young roster with 10 juniors and two sophomores. 

Around the ECIC 

It's a small, yet talented, group at Orchard Park. The Quakers look to reclaim the Section VI Class A title after losing in the final the last two years. 

Senior libero Trey Cimorelli is a returning first team All-WNY pick and the school record holder in digs. The Quakers returns a pair of first team ECIC I all-stars, outside hitters Kevin Donohue and Tyler Eagleton, both seniors. Cimorelli, Donohue and Eagleton are tri-captains and the team's most experienced players. 

OP's first-year setter is junior Nolan McArdle. Senior Kenny Dudkowski is back for his second year and senior Joel Ross has been a quick study in his first year on the varsity. 

A lot of coaches expect Clarence to have a big year. 

Senior Chase Squires played with the Eden Volleyball Club 18s. Senior Devon Goeller gives the Red Devils a strong middle attack. Junior Brandon Hill can swing out of the right or left side. 

"We have a lot of potential," said coach Kevin Starr. "The juniors were the top JV team in WNY for the past two years. We're hoping their success transfers to the varsity level." 

Senior Calvin Crosby of Starpoint brings a polished game after an offseason in the Eden Volleyball Club's elite program. Junior Brett Kane will run the Spartans' new 5-1 offense. Eighth-grader Charles Palka begins his second year as a starter. 

Lancaster senior Connor Nowak is an accomplished club player while Mike Spengler is a returning standout setter. 

The Redskins will start a pair of freshman outside hitters, Jay Baumann and Ken Rudz. 

West Seneca West will count heavily on senior Shaun O'Brien, an ECIC I second team all-star, four-year starter and last year's leading scorer. 

Junior Anthony Podgorzak of Williamsville South earned second team ECIC II honors as one of the team's leading scorers from last year. 

Cheektowaga's most experienced player is Ed Kerber, an ECIC III all-star and a three-year starter. Junior Noah McGhee has been on the varsity for two years. 

Senior Kyle Krzemien was last year's leading scorer at Depew and junior Denis Vanini enters his third year as starting setter. 

Six players return for Amherst, including 6-6 senior Alex Turecki, a second-team all-star who led the team in blocks and senior Gabe Radoccia-Feurstein, last year's leader in digs. 

Maryvale juniors Kevin Kelly, Ryan Robida and Tyler Nosal were also teammates this offseason for the Southtowns Volleyball Club. Andy Murtha is the first-year coach of the Flyers. 

Senior David Tharnish returns at middle blocker for Iroquois. 

The only returning senior for Lancaster is right-side hitter Connor Nowak. 

Hamburg coach Brian Carroll describes 6-5 middle blocker Connor Krolikowski as a "very complete player and solid blocker." 

Another senior, Tony Guzzetta, is a two-year starter at libero, who is just as capable at setter for the Bulldogs. 

First-year East Aurora coach Carl Cordes said he has a full range of players from freshmen to seniors with great chemistry. Junior Harry Hintz is a strong hitter from all positions and Dan Leman is a crisp passer with a strong count awareness. 

Holland senior Storm Phillips is a three-year starter who can play a variety of positions. 

Around the nets 

. St. Francis has a young but athletic team. Senior co-captain Alex Warthling is a three-year starter at libero. Senior co-captain Taylor Walber and junior Tom Duszkiewicz bring two years experience at the net. Two freshman who will see plenty of minutes are Jake Kaempf and Nick Batchev. 

. Kenmore West returns 6-foot-5 middle Mitch Roberts. On the outside are fellow seniors Nick Gara and Chris Dymond. 

email: mmonnin@buffnews.com

Cheektowaga Tournament 
Boys
9/15/12

FINALS Grand Island 25-22-25, St. Francis 21-25-23 SEMIFINALS St. Francis 25-25, Iroquois 15-21 Grand Island 25-25, Cardinal O'Hara 12-15 POOL A Cheektowaga 25-17, Kenmore West 22-25 Cardinal O'Hara 25-21, Iroquois 21-25 Cheektowaga 25-21, Iroquois 23-25 Cardinal O'Hara 25-25, Kenmore West 20-8 Cardinal O'Hara 25-25, Cheektowaga 18-20 Kenmore West 18-25, Iroquois 25-18 POOL B Kenmore East 25-24, Maryvale 21-26 St. Francis 25-25, Grand Island 18-21 Kenmore East 25-16, St. Francis 21-25 Grand Island 25-25, Maryvale 21-18 St. Francis 25-25, Maryvale 17-14 Kenmore East 22-25, Grand Island 25-17

Individual: No all tourney team 716-984-3812 John Markeson Grand Island outlasted St. Francis in three close games, 25-21, 22-25, 25-23 to win the title of the Cheektowaga boys volleyball tournament.

High School Boys Volleyball Preview: Lake Shore Eagles still team to beat in Division II
Michael J. Petro
9/13/12
 

Billy Pinter and Lake Shore will once again look to get through teams 
like Hamburg in Section VI Division II. (Photo courtesy of Ron Larson)

It took 16 years for Lake Shore to return a Section VI championship to the high school in the Town of Evans but can the Eagles stay on top in a loaded Division II?

In returning three starters and a few key role players from last season, Lake Shore looks like it could have what it takes. However, only two returning players are back in the same position as head coach John Coyle has done some shifting around to piece together the most competitive lineup possible.

While many of them were adjusting to their new spots on the court, the Eagles remained just about as impressive as they were last season in opening the season as semifinalist in the Clarence Tournament among a competitive Section VI field on Sept. 1.

“That was one of our best showings at that tournament in years,” said Coyle, whose team captured the Division II championship last year by beating Hamburg in an epic five-game match. “As the kids go along in the season, I see them improving. We’re a little ahead of where we originally wanted to be, so I hope we can build on that.”

Although the Eagles return with some swagger from last season, Coyle believes his players are focused on what needs to be done this year to have 2011 repeat itself. He likes his players’ level of self-motivation.

“I have high expectations for them because a lot of these guys are third-year varsity players, but I think they have just as high expectations for themselves,” said Coyle, last year’s Western New York Coach of the Year. “I don’t have to push hard. They like working at their games and don’t like to make mistakes.”

The high expectations come from the return of three-year varsity contributors Ryan Joslyn, Billy Pinter and Connor Govenettio. While Pinter will remain at setter, where he has become one of the best in Western New York, and Govennettio will be back on the outside, the hard-hitting Joslyn will move to the middle from the outside. Pinter was a First Team All-WNY selection and Joslyn, a second team honoree.

After seeing considerable time last year as a defensive specialist, fellow senior Clark Brueckl moves to a starting middle. Upperclassmen Dane Cala and Tyler Freeman will play on the outside. Both are normally liberos. Cala is in his second season with the varsity, while Freeman returns after missing much of last season with an injury.

Also expected to contribute this season are junior Brad Owens at libero and senior Cody Pulewski, a setter, who is working his way back from a broken wrist. The Eagles will count on its defense, passing and the continuity from a strong senior class of seven in hopes that it makes up for their lack of size. Joslyn is 6-foot-4, but the rest of the team is 6-foot-1 or smaller.

Ben Michaels (right) is returning for Section VI Division II 
finalists Hamburg. (photo courtesy of Ron Larson)
 

Although Hamburg has moved up to ECIC I for the regular season, Lake Shore, the defending ECIC II champion, will have to deal with its rival come the postseason in Division II. On their way to an unbeaten division run last season, Lake Shore beat Hamburg twice but like in the sectional final, it was in five hard-fought games.

“Hamburg is well coached and seems to have size every year,” noted Coyle, whose team split with Hamburg in two games at Clarence.

Due to state classification numbers, Division II will again have the majority of the teams from Section VI. Twenty schools reside in Division II, while there are eight in D-I.

Last season, Hamburg again competed among the best in Division II but ended in heartbreaking fashion, holding a late lead in the final only to see it wither away. Hamburg head coach Bran Carroll expects his young team to regroup and with the type of work ethic it has shown so far, once again be a factor at season’s end.

“We have a good team that competes daily in practice and this will be a great benefit for this group of players down the road,” Carroll said.

Leading this group will be two-year starter Connor Krolikowski, a versatile 6-foot-4 senior, who Carroll said can play all three front row positions “He’s one of the most well-rounded players in WNY,” noted Carroll of his left-side hitter.

Senior Tony Guzzetta moves to the setter position after playing libero the last two years. In the middle will be much of that size Coyle spoke of with 6-foot-4 senior Ben Michaels and a pair of 6-foot-3 sophomores in Doug Horbachewski and Zach Yerington. Joining Krolikowski on the left side will be Patrick Stroh, a smooth passing and high jumping 6-foot-3 sophomore. Also seeing time on the outside will be Trevor Vail and David Suchan. Kody Omphalius should get an opportunity at right side, while Ryan Dils is competing for playing time at setter as only a freshman.

The Bulldogs are rounded out by Mitch Courtney, Kevin Eisenried, Ryan Filas, Chris Fuentes, Charlie Gordner, Mike Liberatore, John-Francis Orozco and Nick Yonkosky, all of whom will compete for the defensive specialist position. 

Sophomore Jake Gleason is defending Section VI 
champion Frontier’s only returning starter.

Hamburg will join in ECIC I the divisions’ champion and the Section VI Class A title holder the past two years, Frontier.

Despite losing four All-Western New York players, two of whom are now playing Division I college volleyball, and a fifth starter to graduation, Frontier head coach Bill Faust does not concede that his team is rebuilding. He doesn’t believe in using that term. “That’s an excuse to write off your team’s season,” he noted. 

His team has already been competitive in starting the season at tournaments in Clarence and Eden. While the two-time defending champions lost at Clarence in the semifinals to St. Joe’s, which would then drop the final to Canisius, getting that far says a lot about the players who have been waiting in the wings. Although replacing setter Matt Taylor, outside hitters Drew Durni (Hawaii) and Nick Smalter (IPFW) and inside Tom Scheck is no easy task, this underclassman-driven team is taking the first steps to doing so.

Third-year sophomore starter Jake Gleason will switch from libero to setter, while senior captains Spencer Avery and Derek Hosken move into larger roles on the outside and in the middle, respectively. Faust will also look to a pair of younger brothers of the recent graduates in juniors Jeffrey Taylor at opposite and Dylan Durni at outside hitter. Junior middle Erik Hatten also steps into the starting lineup and has already garnered all-tournament honors in Clarence. Seniors Shawn Fischer and David Piniewski and junior Patrick Quinlivan will look to compete for playing time.

“The team has completely transformed from last year,” said Faust, who believes WNY boys volleyball is wide open this season, but Orchard Park remains the early favorite in Division I. “We’ll be filling some big shoes. They’re going to need a strong work ethic, but they really seem eager to learn.”

A competitive Division II field is only strengthened by Eden, which almost every year has a say in the postseason. Eden, which has won a sectional title 27 out of the last 35 seasons, surprisingly exited from last season’s playoffs in the quarterfinal round. 

The team that looks to bounce back is young but in typical Raiders’ fashion also a hungry one that seems to be getting better even into just the first few weeks of the season. Mixing in with two senior starters this year will be four sophomores and a freshman. 

“The teams we’ve run into right now are a little bigger and older but I like where we’re going,” said Eden head coach Robert Pierce, who noted that his team was impressive at times opening the season in the Clarence Tournament, before going toe-to-toe with McQuaid in the quarterfinals of the Eden Pan-Am Tournament on Sept. 8. 

Though Pierce points to the sophomores and freshmen as the players that will do the damage for Eden down the road, he’s got two inspirational senior leaders for them to learn from. Ryan Vondell returns to his starting spot as a middle, while Dakota Sheffield, who couldn’t even walk at one point last year after falling off a cliff in an accident, has worked his way into the setter spot.

At 6-foot-2 and a wrestler, Vondell will give the team some size and provide much of the strength. Pierce also said Vondell is a positive role model who is accepting of all of his teammates regardless of age. Sheffield, who missed most of the last school year, is a story all on his own. An aggressive attitude has helped Sheffield first get back on his feet and then on to the court.

“I can’t even believe that he’s able to play after what happened to him and he’s doing it at a high level,” Pierce said. “What he lacks in experience, he makes up for in his competitiveness.”

Hayden Herc, a 6-foot-4 sophomore middle, is turning into the real deal after playing for the national team in Des Moines, Iowa in the offseason. Also returning to a starting role is freshman Declan Pierce, the son of the coach who’s also emerging as a force in Western New York. 

Joining Pierce on the outside will be hard-hitting sophomore Brad Meyer, The elder Pierce also expects contributions from feisty sophomore Cole Overhoff and Jake Shlegel, who will compete for time at setter. Senior Jimmy Ehrig is also expected to see some time in the middle. The team is rounded out by juniors Ryan Gajewski and exchange student Jacob Maritti.

“Once we get into the league season, we’ll contend and we should be in the mix during the postseason,” said Pierce, whose team plays in ECIC III. “What I see from us in progression is a really good sign.” 

It may have only been winning a game off Canisius, but that feat at the Clarence Tournament tells the tale of how far St. Francis has come as a program, even as it fields another team that will depend on the contributions of youngsters.

The Red Raiders split two games in tournament pool play with the team that has ruled the Monsignor Martin for the past 12 seasons. It’s the same Canisius program that St. Francis head coach Andy Lanigan has watched beat his team in the MMAA final last season and in 2008. Lanigan believes it may have been an early-season defining moment for his team, which finished the tournament as a quarterfinalists.

“It’s a real confidence boost,” said Lanigan, whose team went on to sweep East Aurora in its first non-league match. “A win over Canisius is the first time that’s happened in many years. It opened their eyes and made them believe that we can play with anybody.”

The Red Raiders return three regulars from last year’s rotation in senior Taylor Walber and Alex Warthling and junior Tom Duskiewicz. Walber will take over the offensive load on the outside for graduated Brett Cawthorn, which is now playing at D’Youville, while Duskiewicz, a Southtowns Volleyball Club player, who enjoyed a breakout season last year, will secure the middle. Warthling, a three-year captain with the most experience on this team, will take on the role of libero. 

Junior Jack Moretti will be slotted into the setter spot, while freshmen Nick Bachev and Jake Kaempf will be asked to step right in as a middle and defensive specialist, respectively.

While this team may not be as skilled as last seasons, Lanigan sees in this group a will to win and more attention to detail. 

“There is more of a team atmosphere,” Lanigan said. “We’re playing better team defense and making more hustle plays. They realize that they can’t rely on big guy as individuals. They’ll have to rely on each other.”

The league does not make it any easier on St. Francis. Already with Canisius to face, St. Joe’s is also loaded with talent. The two are the top ranked teams in WNY. The Red Raiders are ranked eighth. “It makes things a little tougher but theses guys already know that things don’t come easy for us,” Lanigan said.

Among home matches of note are against Frontier on Friday, Sept. 14, St. Joe’s on Sept. 20 during Homecoming, and Canisius on Oct. 2, which will be St. Francis’ annual Blackout Night, when fans are asked to root on their home team by wearing all black. Also, St. Francis will host the MMAA championship match on Nov. 2.

Olympian returns home before next venture
by KIMBERLY MCDOWELL 
Editor
9/13/12

Olympian Matt Anderson, a member of the U.S. 
men’s national volleyball team, chats with his 
sisters at Flattery’s bar last week during his visit 
home in West Seneca following the London 2012 
Games. From left are Joelle Vanegas, Jennifer and Amy. 

If professional volleyball wasn’t in the cards for Matt Anderson, he very well could have graduated with a degree in kinesiology and been teaching somewhere in Western New York.

But the hand he was dealt exceeded his dreams.

“Anyone who tells you they knew they’d make it to the Olympics is a liar,” Anderson said Tuesday at home in West Seneca. He arrived Sept. 4 to visit family and friends and, pending the approval of a visa, could leave at any moment for Russia, where he will play for the 2012-13 season — about seven months in total.

At 25, Anderson is coming off his high as a standout member of the U.S. men’s national volleyball team during the London 2012 Olympic Games. The team lost to Italy in the quarterfinals.

“Of course I wanted to win,” he said with a quiet and disappointed tone, further admitting that he has no interest in watching the games. “I was there.”

He may not have brought the gold medal home this summer, but he did say there’s plenty to be proud of and more to work at before Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

“At least I think I’m going to be there,” he said with a smile, adding that his mother, Nancy, is talking about it more than he is. “I keep telling her to relax, it’s still four years away ... I get more pressure from her than anyone.”

In the photograph at right, Anderson 
stands tall with one of his supporters, 
Ryan Dils, a freshman at Hamburg High School.

Anderson, at 6 feet 10 inches, has played with and against some of the most renowned volleyball players in the world during the last few years, earning the praise of seasoned veterans and officiators. He opted to forgo his senior year at Penn State University in 2009 upon signing a contract to play professionally in Korea. He earned several accolades before playing with Italy for the 2010-11 season.

His interest in the sport was piqued while watching his oldest sister, Joelle, play in her youth — he’s the youngest of five. He grew up playing soccer and baseball, and then decided to try out for the volleyball team at the suggestion of a friend. He eventually became a star player at West Seneca West Senior High School, leading the team his senior year to a perfect divisional record in 2004-05.

Anderson’s path to Penn State began with a scholarship. He took notice of his own development his junior year, which he said is when he began to seriously entertain the idea of turning pro.

“It was a month-and-a-half debating process for me,” he said. When his initial opportunity to play for Japan fell through, another door opened for Korea, where he trained extensively and played “some of the best volleyball” of his life, he said.

Though Anderson relishes the opportunity to come home and relax — he has gotten the opportunity to do so only about 14 days each year for the last three years — he said staying on the road is easier than always saying goodbye.

“I don’t get much time,” he said on his recent trip home. “It sucks. I want to make sure I can give one last hug and see everybody.”

This time, though, he’s making his visit count. In addition to a meet and greet last week at Flattery’s where he met several of his biggest supporters, Anderson raised $500 at an event that will be used to purchase iPads for the approximately eight students in his nephew’s classroom at West Elementary School. Each child, his nephew included, has been diagnosed with autism.

Something else he could check off his list was getting a tattoo on his back of the Tower Bridge in London with the Olympic rings, symbolic of one of his greatest accomplishments.

“The fact that I can say, ‘I’m an Olympian’” — he looked away in a brief moment of disbelief — “I’m just a kid from West Seneca who was lucky enough to get breaks and have support when other people don’t get that.”

The new tattoo isn’t his first, and, arguably, isn’t as important as the one across the right side of his torso — a permanent marking that pays homage to his late father, Mike, who died of cancer two years ago. He was one of Anderson’s biggest supporters and, above all else, a best friend.

Another accomplishment?

“Being able to say that I’m still happy with what I do.” 

email: kmcdowell@beenews.com 
 

Eden nabs volleyball win
Boys
9/12/12
 
It took a bit of time, but Eden found its groove against a tough Maryvale team, earning an ECIC boys volleyball win in three games, 25-22, 25-14, 25-18.

"It was pretty close in that first game," Eden coach Robert Pierce said. "We missed a lot of serves. We're trying to become a little more aggressive. We're not as big as other teams, but the more you miss serves, the more it keeps other teams in it.

"Maryvale is never an easy place to play. They always get a nice crowd with a lot of energy and they have a low ceiling. It takes some getting used to. Once we settled down we got our offense going."

Brad Meyer had eight kills and two aces while Ryan Vondell had three blocks and seven kills for Eden (2-1).

Volleyball coach pleased with team’s growth
Boys
9/12/12
 
The Amherst boys volleyball team did not win either of its opening non-league home matches, losing to Williamsville South, 25-18, 16-25, 18-25, 25-22, 21-25 Wednesday and West Seneca West, 26-28, 16-25, 25-18, 16-25, Thursday, but coach Peter Wlosinski was pleased with how the team is developing. 

“I’m very pleased with the growth that our team is already showing,” he said. “At the end of our match, West Seneca West’s head coach came to our huddle and complemented our players on their growth since seeing them only five days ago. Our team truly held their heads high because we only had one practice and one match since we last saw West Seneca West. I’m eager to see what we can accomplish as a team.”

Evan Hall led the Tigers against West Seneca West with four blocks and four kills. Christian Green added five kills and two blocks.
“Both Evan and Christian are gaining more of an understanding of their role as middle blockers,” Wlosinski said. “They are asked to block every attack and transition to attack quickly. We still need to work on the speed of our attack and I know this is within reach because they are so willing to learn the position.”

Against South, co-captain Alex Turecki led Amherst with six kills. Gabe Radoccia-Feuerstein, another co-captain, had 14 assists as the team’s setter. Wlosinski said Colton Probst contributed four digs as libero and Probst and Alex Touma added a strong serve that was difficult to pass.

Amherst began divisional play this week Monday at Eden, but information about the game was unavailable as of press time. They traveltoHollandfora5p.m.start Wednesday and host Williamsville North in a non-league match at 6 p.m. Friday.
 

Eden Tournament
at Eden 
Boys
9/8/12
 
Gold Final San Ignacio def McQuaid 25-14, 25-18 Gold Semifinals McQuaid def OP 25-12, 25-20 San Ignacio def Canisius 25-21, 25-12 Gold quarterfinals Canisius def Clarence 25-18, 25-20 San Ignacio def Fairport 25-14, 25-20 McQuaid def Lake Shore 26-24, 25-22 OP def Hamburg 25-19. 25-23 Silver Final Webster def Frontier 30-25 Silver Semis Webster def Eden 30-23 Frontier def Lancaster 30-25 Bronze Finals St. Joe’s def Victor 30-21 Bronze Semis Victor def Eastridge 30-23 St. Joe’s def St. Francis 30-15 Pool A McQuaid vs Eden 30-28, 25-15 McQuaid vs St. Francis 25-18, 25-19 McQuaid vs Clarence 25-10, 25-18 Clarence vs Eden 26-24, 25-22 Eden vs St.Francis 25-15, 25-23 Clarence vs St. Francis 25-16. 25-7 Pool B San Ignacio vs Lancaster 25-12, 25-13 San Ignacio vs OP 25-18, 25-23 San Ignacio vs Victor 25-15, 25-16 OP vs Victor 25-18, 25-20 OP vs Lancaster 25-13, 25-15 Lancaster vs Victor 25-17, 18-25 Pool C Canisius vs Frontier 25-22, 25-11 L. Shore vs Eastridge 25-18, 25-16 Canisius vs L. Shore 25-20, 25-20 Eastridge vs Frontier 16-25, 25-23 Canisius vs Eastridge 26-24, 26-12 L. Shore vs Frontier 25-23, 25-27 Pool D Hamburg vs St. Joe’s 21-25, 25-18 Hamburg vs Webster 25-19, 25-19 Hamburg vs Fairport 25-19, 21-25 Fairport vs St. Joe’s 25-16, 25-17 Fairport vs Webster 19-25, 31-29 St. Joe’s vs Webster 25-27, 18-25

Individual
All Tourney Team Trey Cimorelli (OP) Brian Costello (Can) Billy Pinter (L.Shore) Mike Taboni (Can) Connor Krolikoski (Ham) Christy Blough (McQ) Colby Harriman (McQ) Jose Irrizary (SI), John Rivera (SI) MVP Ricardo Padilla (SI) 

North Tonawanda Tournament
at North Tonawanda
Boys
9/8/12
 
Final Lockport 25-25, Grand Island 14–21 Semifinals Grand Island 20-28-25, Kenmore East 25–26–23 Lockport 25-21, St. Mary’s 10-17 Pool A O’Hara 18-25, Kenmore East 16–25 Lockport 25-19, N. Tonawanda 25–19 Kenmore East 15-20, Lockport 25-25 N. Tonawanda 25-25, O’Hara 13-20 O’Hara 18-20, Lockport 25-25 N. Tonawanda 25-25, Kenmore East 12-22 Pool B Grand Island 25-25, St. Mary’s 23-23 Kenmore West 25-25, Wmsv.East 16-17 Grand Island 25-25. Kenmore West 16-18 St. Mary’s 25-25, Wmsv East 20-8 St. Mary's 26-25, Kenmore West 24-12 Grand Island 25-25, Wmsv.East 17-20

Olympian Matt Anderson Returns Home to West Seneca
Submitted by Melissa Homes, Reporter
9/5/12

WEST SENECA, NY- He might not have brought home an Olympic medal, but Team USA Volleyball player Matt Anderson arrived home Tuesday a winner in the eyes of his fans.

Anderson is home after a breakout performance on the USA Volleyball team in London, and becoming an international heartthrob of sorts.

"To me I'm still Matt from West Seneca," he said.

Matt's humble beginnings trace back to West Seneca West High School where he led his team to a perfect 17-0 record his senior year. He also played club volleyball and went on to star at Penn State, where in his Junior year he won the 2008 NCAA championship. He then played professionally in Korea and Italy. That whole time, he didn't forget his roots.

"I wanted to play in the Olympics, but as soon as it's over I wanted to get back home and be with my family. I like the small town USA of West Seneca," said Matt.

One of his first stops in Western New York is going to get a tattoo of the Tower Bridge in London with the Olympic Rings hanging underneath it. Then Thursday at Flattery's Bar, he's having a meet and greet with all his fans. And on Friday, his family is planning a party to celebrate his achievements.

Whether it was through signs posted at businesses, watch parties at his sister's house, or fans packing local bars, Matt knew from across the pond that his hometown was behind him.

"It's a huge honor that they gave me that day, July 27th, Matt Anderson Day. Not too many people get to have that happen," he said.

His Olympic dreams came up short, losing in the quarterfinals and leaving without a medal.

"I'm not too happy with the way we finished the Olympics, so to watch the matches, especially the Italian match is not something that I really want to do," Matt continued. "I like to kind of get rid of volleyball for a couple weeks while I'm here and just kind of be with my family."

Sadly, one family member missed his Olympic journey. His father, Mike, passed away two years ago.

"He's there, so to say, and I think about him constantly. He helped me through a lot of tough situations along the way, and he'll help me through some more hopefully."

Matt feels his dad will be looking down on him as he continues to persevere and strives for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. For now, Matt will play professionally in Russia with some of the players he faced at the Olympics.

"The team that I'm going to was the best team in the world last year."

Matt is considered one of the world's best players for his age and he has advice for other young athletes, "Never think that what you're doing is enough," he said. "Play with a passion."

Panthers’ volleyball hopes for better success in ECIC
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
The Amherst Bee 
9/5/12

The 2012 season can only get better for the Sweet Home boys volleyball team.

The Panthers failed to win a match in ECIC I last year and earned two victories overall.

Because of student enrollment, Sweet Home moves down from ECIC I to II. Panthers head coach Rich Cicero said the team has aspirations of having a winning season.

“We have our eyes on winning the division,” Cicero said. “Physically, we have that type of team. If I can get three guys who are out there who are 6-6, put up a good block and we can play some defense around that block, I think we could be a tough team to beat.”

The Panthers are led by senior captains Robert Puchalski (6-foot-2 setter) and Chris Stonish (6-4 left side hitter).
“They are a steady presence,” Cicero said. “They’re good leaders and are focused when they are on the court. They hustle and chase balls down.”

Taylor Sutherland, a 6-6 junior middle hitter, also returns. Junior James Nix, a 6-6 first-year player, is the other starting middle.

Seniors Ricky Plesh and Joe Titenok are also in the mix to play at middle hitter.

Junior Corey Allen plays at right side hitter.

Sweet Home lost to Clarence, 16-25, 16-25, 22-25, in its opening match of the season Friday. They lost Kenmore East 16-25, 17-25, 19-25, at home Friday.

Sweet Home went 1-7 in matches at the Clarence Tournament Saturday, splitting games against Cheektowaga, 25-17, 13-25, and losing to Orchard Park, 9-25, 22-25, Clarence, 12-25, 22-25, and Lancaster, 23-30. Nix led the team in kills.

Sweet Home's James Nix (16) just misses a shot during the Panthers’ match with 
Cheektowaga at the 26th Clarence Invitational Boys Volleyball Tournament Saturday. 
The Panthers lost to Lancaster, 30-23, in the bronze division semifinal. Photo by 
Patrick McPartlandPurchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Cicero felt that the team needs to work on its passing to have success.

“Once we get the passing down, I can focus on the attack,” Cicero said. “I definitely have some kids that can rip the ball. With some more practice and experience, I think we’re going to do some good things.”

Williamsville South hopes to gel on court
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
The Amherst Bee 
9/5/12

Williamsville South boys volleyball coach Thom Knab thinks there is plenty of talent on the team. All they need is the experience of working together.

“Individually, they have a lot of good skills,” Knab said. “It’s just getting them to gel and work together. They seem motivated to do that and understand what they need to do. I think we could surprise some people.”

The Billies — 13-8 and Class B semifinalist last year — are led by its co-captains, junior right side hitter Anthony Podgorsak and senior middle hitter Sam Scime.

Podgorsak is a three-year starter who Knab said has developed a nice jump serve, is hitting consistently and blocking well. 

Podgorzak led South last year with 516 attacks and 180 kills.

“He’s becoming a smarter player, which comes from playing three years of varsity as well as club volleyball through Eden,” Knab said.

Junior Steve Zaprowski will start at outside hitter. Knab said Zaprowski has become consistent in his passing and is developing a nice attack.

Six-foot-three sophomore Christian Graziano moves up from JV to start at middle hitter.

“He gets good height over the net on his blocks,” Knab said. “He’s going to be a defensive force. He’s developed a nice quick attack as well. I’m expecting big things from him and in the future.”

Senior Eric Oswald returns at libero.

The Billies’ main setter falls on freshman Joe Zanelotti. Knab said Zanelotti “lives and breaths volleyball” and attended Eden Club Volleyball in the offseason.

The left side hitter duties had not been determined as of press time but senior Dan Shanahan and 6-1 sophomore Ryan Nigro are in the mix. Whenever the left side player moves to the back row, junior JV call-up Kenny Stuber will set and Zanelotti will hit in the front row.

South’s “Dig Pink” match for breast cancer awareness will be against Williamsville East Friday, Sept. 27. 
 

Senior-heavy Spartans return almost entire starting lineup
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
The Amherst Bee 
9/5/12

With only one starter that graduated from last year’s team and eight seniors on the roster, Williamsville North boys volleyball coach Mike Minnuto has picked up the pace for the upcoming season.

“Last year I expected to start slow because they were all new to varsity,” Minnuto said. “This year, I expect us to start fast and be ready to play in our first matches because the speed of the game should not be new to them. There should be no surprises.”
Senior Mike Szalazkiewiez, a 5-foot-10 three-year starting setter, controls the tempo of the game, Minnuto said. He averaged 12 assists per game last year.

“Being that it is his third year on varsity, the game should slow down for him,” Minnuto said. “If it does, he will be able to feed the ball to the correct person.”

Szalazkiewiez will also get the opportunity to hit during the season. When this happens, senior Tyler Penberthy, a 6-5 middle/outside hitter, will set.

Penberthy, a returning ECIC I Second Team All-star, averaged nine kills and 10 blocks per match last year and has been with the team since being pulled up as a sophomore for sectionals. Penberthy sharpened his skills by playing in the offseason for Eden Club Volleyball.

Another key piece for the Spartans is 5-11 senior Justin Fillmore, who Minnuto said could set, play in the back row and hit from the outside, middle or right side if needed. Last year Fillmore led North with a 90 percent serving percentage.
Marc Peterson, a 6-foot senior, returns at outside hitter. Minnuto said Peterson has unbelievable jumping ability and the potential to be one of the top hitters in Western New York.

Returning seniors Zach Morrison and Scott Kiely, and two brand new players, 6-2 junior Connor Mergler and 6-1 sophomore Sam Cimato, are all in the mix to play at middle hitter. Cimato can also hit on the outside.

Owen Green, a 6-4 sophomore, could possibly play on the right side, as could Kiely or 5-11 sophomore left-handed Dylan Lambert.
Senior Connor Gust will start at libero. Junior Will Stryker can also play at libero or in the back row.

Senior Cameron MacDonald is recovering from a broken thumb. When healthy, he is a back row player.

North finished 8-12 last year. Minnuto hopes the team is competitive in league matches and performs really well in non-league games.

East set to build off last year’s success 
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
The Amherst Bee 
9/5/12

Although only three starters return, Williamsville East boys volleyball coach Michael Braunscheidel is hoping the team can build off last year’s record-breaking year. The Flames finished 12-4, its best record in 21 years.

“We have great potential if they work as a cohesive team, not as individuals, and communicate on the court,” Braunscheidel said.
The three returning starters are seniors Tom Wisniewski (6-foot-1 middle hitter) and James Purkiss (6-1 outside hitter/setter) and sophomore Dylan Cicero (libero). Wisniewski and Purkiss are returning ECIC II Second Team All-stars.

Last year Wisniewski led the Flames with 238 attacks and was second with 97 kills.
“He knows where to be on the court,” Braunscheidel said. “He has timing on his blocks, the ability to hit a one-ball in the middle and can get outside on the blocks.”

Braunscheidel said Purkiss was one of the team’s leading outside hitters last year. His most valuable asset is his versatility.
“He can hit, set or play defense,” he said.

Cicero provides passing and back row defense, Braunscheidel said. Cicero led the team last year with a 96 serving percentage.
Senior Nick Reding — a developmental player last year — moves into a weak side hitting position.
Braunscheidel said Reding’s intangibles are his timing on blocks. He’ll split playing time with senior Matt Whiting (middle hitter/weak side hitter) and junior Zachary Dorobiala (weak side hitter in the back row).

Senior Trevor Morcelle and junior Michael Wisniewski join Tom Wisniewski as the starting outside hitter. Six-foot-four junior Alex Wehrlin will start at middle hitter opposite Tom Wisniewski.

Tom and Michael Wisniewski, Purkiss, Cicero and Wehrlin all played Panther Club Volleyball during the offseason. Braunscheidel is hoping that the experience they gained from club volleyball carries over into the high school season.

2012 Volleyball Magazine Fab 50

Eden VBC 17s at 2012 Boy's Junior National Championships
July 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIFvtQ5LAtw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVi4diwc03o

Eden VBC 18s v Southtowns 18s Game 1
2/27/12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diFGKxvoDOc

Eden VBC 14s at North Eastern Bid Tournament
2/18/11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__Wx5D-1Rn0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QmMob0e5R4

Eden VBC 18s at Pace Tournament
12/18/11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqzlFVZTA-s

2011 Volleyball Magazine Fab 50

Western New York Boys Volleyball Honor Roll
Wednesday December 28, 2011
By Mary Jo Monnin
The Buffalo News

Boys volleyball honor roll

ALL-WNY TEAM 
(chosen by WNY coaches)

Pos. Player School Yr. Fast Fact

(Eden VBC Players highlighted in RED)

OP, Drew Durni, Frontier, 12: Repeat pick, three-year starter, 94 average, .665 hitting percentage, 300 kills, unstoppable vs. McQuaid.

S, Matt Taylor, Frontier, 12: Second team last year, team co-MVP, has visited Penn State, MVP of Hamburg Tourney, setter with 700 assists.

OH, Nick Smalter, Frontier, 12: Repeat pick, MVP of Clarence tourney, made 3 all-tourney teams, .384 hitting percentage, 94 average, three-year starter.

OH, Dave Jepson, Canisius, 11: Player of Year in Monsignor Martin Association, had 30 kills in win over Frontier, made 3 all-tourney teams.

OH, Matt McCormick, Orchard Park, 12: Second team last year, MVP of Orchard Park Tourney, 90 average, 18 kills vs. St. Joe's, also excels in basketball.

OH, Lucas Wolanin, Lancaster, 12: Had 545 kills to end career as school record holder for most in a career with 1,100, second team last year, 90 average.

S, Billy Pinter, Lake Shore, 11: Team MVP, averaged 40.3 assists per match, had 51 aces, 90 average, All-Tourney at OP, 55 assists vs. Hamburg.

L, Trey Cimorelli, Orchard Park, 11: Libero with 667 digs giving him 1,268 in his career, All-Tourney at Orchard Park, 97 average, 28 digs vs. Lockport.

SECOND TEAM (underclassman where indicated): Jack Fleming (Canisius), Eric Moscato (Hamburg), Ryan Joslyn-11 (Lake Shore), Eric Simoncelli (Hamburg), Robert Heary (St. Joe's), Tom Scheck (Frontier), Curtis Monin (Lancaster), Dalton Crowe (Eden).

WNY COACH OF THE YEAR: John Coyle (Lake Shore).



ECIC I

FIRST TEAM

Pos. Player School Yr.

S, Kevin Donohue, Orchard Park, 11

MH, Justice Rogers, Orchard Park, 12

OH, Tyler Eagleton, Orchard Park, 11

OH, Elliot Louisos, Clarence, 12

S, Andy Nagel, Lancaster, 12

OH, Dave Spengler, Lancaster, 12

L, Jake Gleason, Frontier, 9

MB, Kevin Hannon, Frontier, 12

SECOND TEAM: Shaun O'Brien-11 (West Seneca West), C.J. Peterson (Lancaster), Jon Kuberka (Clarence), Kenny Dudkowski-11 (Orchard Park), Matt Monaco-9 (Frontier), Steve Czuczman (Orchard Park), Jake Beckman (Lancaster), Tyler Penberthy-11 (Wmsv. North).



ECIC II

FIRST TEAM

Pos. Player School Yr.

MH, Ryan Spears, Lake Shore, 11

OH, Connor Govenettio, Lake Shore, 11

RS, Matt Birt, Hamburg, 12

OH, Connor Krolikowski, Hamburg, 11

OH, Max Schwarz, Wmsv. East, 12

S, Tom Styn, Wmsv. East, 12

MH, Brian Kraus, Wmsv. South, 12

OH, Mackenzie Spencer, Starpoint, 12

SECOND TEAM: Nick Burbige (Lake Shore), Austin Van Slycke (Lake Shore), Mitch Shafer (Hamburg), Josh Babcock (Hamburg), James Purkiss-11 (Wmsv. East), Tom Wisnewski-11 (Wmsv. East), Anthony Podgorzak-10 (Wmsv. South), Calvin Crosby-11 (Starpoint).

ECIC III

FIRST TEAM

Pos. Player School Yr.

OH, Kyle Acker, Eden, 12

MH, Cody Smith, Eden, 12

MH, Ryan Vondell, Eden, 11

OH, Alex Webster, Holland, 12

OH, Tom Mellody, Amherst, 12

S, Jesse Summa-Dowd, Amherst, 12

OH, Matt Loos, Maryvale, 12

OH, Ed Kerber, Cheektowaga, 11

SECOND TEAM: Declan Pierce-8 (Eden), Bobby Blodgett (Eden), Josh Kreeger (East Aurora), Evan Thielman (Amherst), Kevin Kelley-11 (Maryvale), Anthony Delano (Cheektowaga), Trevor Leach (Holland), Alex Turecki-11 (Amherst).

NIAGARA FRONTIER

FIRST TEAM

Pos. Player School Yr.

OH, Nathan Schneider, Lockport, 12

RS, Diantre Cullens, Lockport, 12

OH, Jon Voyzey, Grand Island, 12

MH, Chris Brownschidle, Grand Island, 12

OH, Jack Hagerty, Nia.-Wheatfield, 12

MH, Will Cruz, N. Tonawanda, 12

MH, Nick DeMartile, Lockport, 12

SECOND TEAM: Kyle Patterson-11 (Kenmore East), Drake DeJesus-11 (Kenmore East), Collin McMahon-11 (Grand Island), Joe Kelly-10 (Niagara-Wheatfield), Joe Piotrowski-10 (North Tonawanda), Adam Heftka-11 (Grand Island), Ryan Giles (Lockport).

THIRD TEAM: Tim Kelly (Kenmore West), Scott Lachut (Kenmore West), Mike Crawford-11 (Kenmore East), Mike Dobmeier (Niagara Falls), Brock Tetreault-10 (Grand Island), Adam Brodfuehrer (North Tonawanda), Aaron Quast (Lockport).

MSGR. MARTIN ASSOC.

Player of the Year: David Jepson-11 (Canisius)

FIRST TEAM

Pos. Player School Yr.

OH, Christopher Busha, St. Francis, 12

OH, Brett Cawthorn, St. Francis, 12

MB, Russell Fiorella, Canisius, 12

S, Jack Fleming, Canisius, 12

L, Joe Hacherl, St. Joe's, 12

OH, Robert Heary, St. Joe's, 12

MB, Peter McKelvey, Canisius, 12

SECOND TEAM: CANISIUS: Alec Cowe. ST. JOE'S: Jack Heary. ST. FRANCIS: Nate Chichocki, Matt Smith. ST. MARY'S: Jack Denz, Jamison Powell, Frank Sardinia.

mmonnin@buffnews.com 

Frontier Finishes Strong
Wednesday December 28, 2011
By Mary Jo Monnin
The Buffalo News

It isn't easy to go out on top following a season-ending loss, but Frontier may have pulled it off.

The Falcons saw one of their most successful seasons come to a close after a four-game defeat to eventual state champion McQuaid in the Far West Regionals.

"It was the highest level of volleyball I've ever been involved with. Both teams left it out on the court," said Frontier coach Bill Faust. "It was incredible to be a part of it."

Making the ride possible were seniors Drew Durni, Matt Taylor and Nick Smalter, who were all recently named to the 2011 All-Western New York team.

The state championships in boys volleyball are in their second year, with Section VI yet to send a representative.

"Section V and VI are both super powers, and now with the format, it is what it is, we have to play each other to move on, and if you survive that challenge, you might be looking at a state title like McQuaid," said Faust.

Frontier finished the season 29-4 having defended its Section VI Class A title. The Falcons also won the Clarence and Hamburg tournaments. Faust said an early-season loss to Canisius gave his team some focus.

The 29th annual ALL-WNY team was chosen by a panel of area coaches. The eight-player first team includes five seniors and three juniors. Teams with multiple picks were Frontier with three and Orchard Park with two. It's the 11th year in a row Orchard Park has had at least one first-teamer.

Repeat picks are both from Frontier: Durni and Smalter.

John Coyle of Lake Shore was named the WNY Coach of the Year by his peers. The Eagles knocked off Hamburg to win Class B, its first Section VI title since 1995. Two-time defending champion Eden lost in four games to Williamsville South in the Class B quarterfinals.

Three of Lake Shore's 17 wins, against four losses, came at the expense of Hamburg, its ECIC II rival. Two of the three matches went five games. Lake Shore also took Orchard Park to five games before losing.

Even dozen for Canisius

Canisius is represented on All-WNY by junior Dave Jepson. He was named the Monsignor Martin Association Player of the Year after leading the Crusaders to their 12th consecutive playoff title. Jepson had 18 kills and five aces in the final against St. Francis.

Canisius won all its league matches in three games this season. Canisius' 21-4 record includes a win over No. 1 ranked Frontier in an atmosphere described as "electric" by coach Tom Weislo.

Russell Fiorella, Jack Fleming and Peter McKelvey had All-Catholic seasons for the Crusaders.

Around the nets

ECIC titles went to teams all finishing 12-0 as Frontier won ECIC I, Lake Shore won ECIC II and Eden won ECIC III. ... Grand Island and Lockport both finished 11-1 to share the Niagara Frontier League title. St. Mary's won the Grand Island and North Tonawanda Tournaments. ... In the final WNY Coaches Poll, Frontier was voted No. 1 with seven first-place votes, Canisius was No. 2 with three. ... Durni of Frontier was named the Section VI recipient of the state-sponsored sportsmanship award. ... Section VI had four teams ranked among the top 10 in the state academically. Sweet Home was No. 3 (96.6 collective average), Lake Shore was No. 5 (95.0), Lockport was No. 7 (94.9) and Hamburg was No. 10 (94.6).

Coach inducted into Volleyball Hall of Fame 
11/10/12

Walt Stefani, Orchard Park Central School District’s longtime varsity volleyball coach, will be inducted into the Western New York Volleyball Hall of Fame on Thursday, Nov. 10, at Ilio DiPaolo’s Restaurant.

Stefani, who has coached for 30 years and is also an Orchard Park teacher, has had countless achievements as a varsity volleyball coach in Orchard Park, according to a release.

The team has won 18 divisional championships, eight Section “A” championships and three Regional 

New York State championships. The team has had several undefeated seasons including a 25-0 season and winning all Western New York tournaments in 1991 and a 34-0 undefeated season in 2008, the second in the high school’s history.

South upsets Eden, falls to Lake Shore in semifinal 
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
The Amherst Bee 
11/9/12

Eleventh-seed Williamsville South made its deepest postseason run in the Section VI Class B boys volleyball tournament since losing in the 2006 section final to Eden, falling to second-seed Lake Shore, 14-25, 21-25, 19-25, in a Class B semifinal on Saturday at Orchard Park High School.

“I told the kids to be real aggressive and they were,” South coach Thom Knab. “Lake Shore is a really good passing and attacking team and their passing and attacking was a little better than ours.”

Senior Brian Kraus led South with five kills.

Williamsville South’s Anthony Podgorzak attempts a kill versus Ryan Joslyn of Lake Shore 
in a Section VI Class B semifinal on Saturday at Orchard Park High School. The Billies lost, 
13-25, 21-25, 19-25. Photo by John NormilePurchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Knab lauded the play of senior right side hitter Jimmy Spellman, who was active on the court in his hitting and blocking.
“His overall game was strong on that day,” Knab said.

South advanced to the semifinals after upsetting third-seed Eden, 25-20, 25-23, 17-25, 25-23, in a quarterfinal on Wednesday. It’s South’s first win over Eden in a dozen tries in the 25 years Knab has coached the Billies.
“I knew we had the talent to do it,” Knab said. “It was a matter of getting the talent to come together and perform on the same day. I’m happy they were able to peak at the right moment.”

Kraus led the Billies with 10 kills and 10 blocks. Sophomore Anthony Podgorzak had 10 kills.

Knab also lauded the play of senior setter Leo Lynett.

“He was very active and did a good job running all over the court and had good placement,” Knab said. “His setting allowed us to be a lot stronger on our attack.”

South finishes 13-8, including 6-6 in ECIC Division II. Knab graduates five seniors: Kraus, Lynett, Spellman, outside hitter Dylan Cottrell and middle hitter Mike Mutignani.

Podgorzak led South with 516 attacks and 180 kills. 

Kraus recorded 171 kills out of 483 attempts and 135 blocks out of 181 attempts. Lynett handed out 527 assists on 1,873 attempts. 

WNY Volleyball Hall of Fame: Faust shares lessons learned from volleyball 
by Michael J. Petro
MetroWNY 
12/22/11

William P. Faust, pictured in the middle, who helped start Frontier boys 
volleyball in the late 1970s, among his many accomplishments, stands with 
his son, Bill Faust Jr. (left), who he helped mentor in the sport, and 
Charles O’Brien, who was a coach and mentor, during his playing days at 
Cleveland Hill. Faust was inducted into the WNY Boys Volleyball Hall of Fame.

William Faust didn’t help begin volleyball programs at several high schools in New York State, including Frontier and Hamburg, for self gratification and the potential wins that could be piled up. He did it in an effort to serve as a teacher and role model for student-athletes, spreading to them the importance of commitment, attitude and character, which are qualities he felt fortunate enough to learn himself as a player.

Even with the most selfless of intentions, Faust’s contributions at a number of high schools and clubs did not go unnoticed. As a result of his impact on the game of volleyball and his players, the Western New York Volleyball Officials Association and WNY Boys Coaches Association came calling when selecting its second class of inductees to the WNY Boys Volleyball Hall of Fame. 

Faust was one of three inducted into the Class of 2011 as part of the second annual ceremony last month at Ilio DiPaolo’s Restaurant in Blasdell. 

It was an honor not only celebrating him starting programs for girls at Ripley and boys at Frontier, before restarting the Hamburg girls program, but also for his performances on the court as an All-Western New York player, who starred at Cleveland Hill from 1963 to 65. He became the first actual player, as well, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, which now includes 10 names.

“Coaches are given a very special gift,” Faust said in his induction speech as part of the Class of 2011 which also included longtime Orchard Park coach Walt Stefani and referee Joe Enser. “Your wins and losses will fade with time, but how you’ve influenced players will never be forgotten.”

“It didn’t matter to me if I was at Ripley, Frontier or Hamburg, or coaching with Eden Club, I coached for the love of the game and more so for the character building of young men and women,” he added. “I tried to give back to my players what the game of volleyball had given to me.”

Not only did his work influence future generations of the student-athletes he coached but it also caught the attention of his son, Bill Faust Jr., who wound up traveling down the same path. 

So influenced by watching his father and traveling around with his teams as a youth, Bill became a star volleyball player himself, helping Lake Shore win its last Section VI title since the program earned one again this year, then, ironically, following in his father’s exact footsteps as the head coach of the boys program at Frontier.

“His influence has been profound on so many levels,” said Bill Faust, who’s led the Falcons to consecutive Section VI titles. “He’s a always been in it to help kids. For him, it’s about integrity and commitment and striving for perfection. He just had a knack of being a leader and role model for the kids he coached. He taught them how to make the right decisions. I just happened to be the kid who was fortunate enough to grow up living in the same house.”

William Faust wound up being a strong influence on those he came across inside and outside his home thanks to him prioritizing an environment of character building before the wins and losses. He said he even has a signed volleyball from many of his players with those same three words written on it that sits atop a bookshelf in his family room. 

“I went to one of my son’s games the other night and one of his player’s fathers asked me how many wins I had, and I smiled and said, ‘Oh, I don’t really know; I’ve never really counted,’” Faust read. “I’m not going to stand here and tell you I didn’t play to win or that winning wasn’t important to me, but for me, it was never at the top of my priority list. As long as we were based in commitment, attitude and character, I may have never had a losing season or for that fact, have ever lost a game.”

Much of what he learned was as a result of playing under former coach Charles O’Brien, who was one of seven of the original inductees into the WNY Volleyball Hall of Fame last year. Faust was on the Cleveland Hill volleyball team that started O’Briens 94-match win streak and named the captain of 1965’s All-Western New Volleyball Team.

During his speech, Faust told the story of a student, the youngest of four brothers, whose father worked the late shift and mother had taken ill and because of that, he found himself often in some trouble. It wasn’t until O’Brien approached and asked this young man to play volleyball that the student took a turn for the better.

“One day in school, the volleyball coach came up to this young man and gave him a candy bar, which the young man proceeded to take out of the wrapper and eat; at which point the coach asked him to come out and play volleyball,” Faust said. “For the next three years of high school, volleyball and sports became the crutch that this young man needed to stay out of trouble. Of course, this young man was me 50 years ago.”

He added, “I later asked coach about the candy bar — He told me, Bill, you give a young man a candy bar and if he takes it out of the wrapper to eat, you invite him to play volleyball; if he eats it with the wrapper on, you tell him to try out for football.”

As a coach, Faust started the girls program in Ripley in 1974 and went undefeated in his first season, then two years later, moved on to Frontier where he also made history in beginning its boys program. He coached there from 1976 to 79. In 1978, the WNY Coach of the Year also took a club team from the area to play at the Junior Nationals in Poland.

By 1983, Faust was back at Frontier, this time coaching the girls team to a Division I South title. Just two years later, he would restart the Hamburg girls volleyball program and go on to the 1986 Class A finals in short time.

From there, Faust moved on to a new chapter in his life, as his son described it. When his children were in high school playing competitively, William put coaching aside to be there for his son and daughter and watch their games. Bill said that’s what his father was all about — prioritizing. Like building character came before the wins; his family always came before anything else. Both siblings are still appreciative to this day.

“It’s still exciting for him to talk about coaching and things that coaches go through,” Bill said. “There’s not so much a (Faust) legacy being built; it’s just something we’ve both done and enjoyed for the right reasons...It’s still very humbling to see all of the time and effort he’s put in get rewarded. There are so many people he’s touched through his work.” 

Lake Shore ends East’s season
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
The Amherst Bee 
11/9/11

Second-seed Lake Shore ended seventh-seed Williamsville East’s season, 25-10, 14-25, 25-15, 25-10, in a Section VI Class B boys volleyball quarterfinal held on Wednesday at Lake Shore.

“We could play with them for short periods of time but could not match their hitting and passing,” East coach Mike Braunscheidel said. “Their serve-receive passing was incredible.”
Braunscheidel said his team was passing the ball for a good set only 37 percent of the time, well below the team’s season average of 60 percent.

East only amassed eight kills in the match.

The only area that kept East in the game was its serving. They got 98 percent of its serves in play.
Tom Wisniewski had four blocks and had an ace and nine playable serves to finish 10 for 10 on serves.

East finishes 13-6, its best record in 21 years.

“The JV and varsity teams had outstanding seasons,” Braunscheidel said. “As coaches we continue to stress the evolution of a winning culture and winning attitudes on and off the court. The culture change started this past winter when several of the players attended Panther Volleyball Club, which gave them the opportunity to gain experience and continue to develop in the offseason, which in turn translated to more rapid player development.”

East graduates six players — Tom Styn (setter), Tom Kline (weakside hitter), Connor Keenan (middle hitter), Max Schwarz (outside hitter), Ryan Zaloom (utility player) and Matt Petrie (libero).

Styn led the Flames with 301 assists and 15 aces, Kline was second on the team with 24 blocks, Keenan led with 32 blocks, Schwarz paced East with 180 kills and 147 playable passes off the serve, Wisniewski led with 238 attacks and was second with 97 kills, Petrie finished second with 11 aces and freshman call-up Dylan Cicero led the team in serving percentage with 96 percent.
Cicero, Wisniewski and James Purkiss are returning starters. 

Billies gelling early in season
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter
The Amherst Bee 
9/7/11

The Williamsville South boys volleyball team struggled early last season gelling but finished strong, winning five of its last six league matches to finish 7-5 in ECIC Division II and 11-11 overall.

Billies coach Thom Knab is already seeing the pieces coming together. “I’m seeing the communication happening more consistently,” Knab said. “We’re passing well, our serving has been consistent and the defense is picking up. I’m thinking and hoping that we are ahead of where we were last year. I’ve got to get them to realize the level they need to play at as early as possible.”

The Billies return senior tri-captains Leo Lynett (setter), Brian Kraus (6-foot-1 middle hitter) and Jimmy Spellman (right side hitter). 
Knab said Lynett has good control and instincts and likes Kraus’ vertical, hitting and defensive skills. Spellman started at libero last year but Knab moved him to right side because of how well he was jumping, hitting and blocking in preseason.
Another returning starter is sophomore outside hitter/ serve-receive specialist Anthony Podgorzak. A returning Second Team ECIC Division II All-Star, Podgorzak was second on the Billies last year with 220 attack attempts and third with 80 kills. He also recorded eight aces.

“He has good all-around skills,” Knab said. “As he’s gotten older, he has better leaping ability. He’s been impressive so far in scrimmages.”

Players moving into starting positions are senior Dylan Cottrell at outside hitter/serve-receive specialist and senior Mike Mutignani or junior Sam Scime at middle hitter.

Also on the team is backup setter/libero Joe Zanelotti, the first eighth-grader on varsity in the 20 years Knab has coached at South, and sophomore outside hitter/serve-receive specialist Steven Zaprowski. Zanelotti plays outside of South for Eden Volleyball Club.

South lost to Grand Island in four games in the Section VI Class A quarterfinals. They host Williamsville North in their opener at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Their Oct. 21 home match with Clarence has been dubbed “Dig Pink” as a way to raise money for breast cancer awareness. The players will wear pink socks or shoelaces and use a pink volleyball for the match.

Skoric's deadly spike
February 2011
By anjaalexa

Video

Are You Coachable?
A Little Humility Goes A Long Way
Wednesday February 2, 2011
By Beverly Oden

Whether you are just learning the sport or playing at the highest levels, you should always be striving to improve. While you can get better on your own by continuing to play and watch others, the most efficient method of improvement involves coaching.

A coach can provide that outside analysis of your form and your tendencies that can be difficult for you to recognize yourself. In order to benefit from that coach's knowledge you don't just need to have a coach, you need to be coachable. 

Coachability is a trait that comes easier for some than for others. If you want to make a positive contribution to your team, heed the advice of your coaches. Those who are hoping to play volleyball in college should pay special attention to coachability. College coaches and recruiters will be watching you not only to see how well you play the game, but your temperament, your adaptability and how you respond to criticism. 

If you're wondering if you're coachable, take a look at the three pillars of coachability and ask yourself if you are a coach's dream or a coach's nightmare.

You may think you're pretty good at this sport of yours already. You may even be right about that. But regardless of your skill level, you should always be striving to get better. In order to consistently improve, you must take seriously the first pillar of coachabilty - the ability to listen.

If your coach tells you that you are doing something wrong or less efficiently than you should, you need to be able to take that in. Don't take offense or let it get under your skin. It is your coach's job to give you advice, it is your job to take it. 

It could be that you think you know more than your coach does, which sometimes is the case and can complicate things. Even if it is the case, it doesn't mean your coach is wrong about everything. He still has a better vantage point than you and can see things you can't. It doesn't matter if you think he's wrong or that you don't think you're doing what he says you are. Your best bet is to let someone help you so put your ego aside for a moment and consider the information coming your way. 

Listening is not only for practice. You also need to listen during games. Coaches want to see that you can stick to the game plan even if you don't agree. They want to see you run the play that was called and serve the areas they decided upon. If you refuse to do that, you may very well be uncoachable.

Being a good listener also means not talking back. If you have questions about the advice, ask them, but coaches want to be able to give you pointers without getting lip about how you know that already or how you disagree with the assessment. If you have issues with authority you may need to take a deep breath, bite your lip and continue forward, taking the new advice in the spirit it was offered - as an attempt to help you.

One of the toughest things to do is to get out of your comfort zone. Perhaps you've had the same passing form since you can remember and it has worked well for you. But one day your coach comes along and tells you to change it up. How do you respond?

The second pillar of coachability is the willingness to try new things. You have to be able to at least momentarily trust your coach's judgment and implement her tips. There are always going to be new schools of thought on how to best execute the fundamental skills of volleyball. Some will become the prevailing wisdom while others will come and go. But there is no way to know if there is a better way out there if you're unwilling to try things out.

You also have to give the new method a chance. Your body is accustomed to doing things the way it always has. Chances are that when you try it a new way, you'll get worse before you get better. Be willing to try the new method for an extended period of time to see if it is indeed better than what you were doing before. If you determine it is not, you can always go back to your old ways.

You never know what you will be asked to do in the course of a volleyball match. No matter the situation, you need to be able to roll with the punches for the good of your team. The third pillar that a coach is looking for in a dream player is the ability to adapt to change. 

There may be an injury on your team that forces you to move to the Outside Hitter position even though you haven't played there in months. One of your teammates may just be playing poorly and force a change in the lineup that leaves you hitting off of a setter you're unfamiliar with. Your team may just need a fresh look and you may be placed on the bench even though you've been holding your own out there.

Especially if your team is losing, a coach may try several different strategies in practice and in matches. There may not be a reason you can understand for why things have changed or why you've been singled out. Don't concern yourself with these things and while you're at it, don't sulk, don't complain, don't roll your eyes and don't panic. 

During a match, trust that your coach is doing what she feels is best for the team at that moment. Your coach may end up being wrong about the new direction and you can calmly discuss that with them when you have a chance. But in the heat of battle, your focus should be on helping your team win and in most cases that means sticking with the game plan as it evolves. 

Doing your own thing or going against your coach's call can put you at odds with your teammates as well as your coaches and it shows recruiters that you're trouble. Remember that you are being evaluated at all times so always strive to be coachable and you will benefit in the long run.

Long Beach Rises to No. 2
Wednesday February 2, 2011
By Beverly Oden

The biggest moves in the AVCA polls this week took place at the top. Long Beach State moves up three spots to No. 2 after beating previous No. 2 Stanford in three sets. Stanford started off strong in the match, but gave up strings of points including an eight-point run in the third. Long Beach won that set 25-13 to finish the Cardinal off. Stanford drops to No. 4 in the poll.

No. 3 BYU made quick work of No. 7 UCI, beating them twice in three sets. UCI looked outmatched at times as BYU served and blocked at a much higher level. Pepperdine is on a five-match losing streak after two more losses to UCLA and UCSB over the weekend. They fell three spots to No. 11 in the poll. Pacific entered the top 15 for the first time since 2007 after a 3-0 victory over CSUN.

Good Timing for USAV Growth
Wednesday February 2, 2011
By Beverly Oden

Take it as a good sign for the sport that USA Volleyball managed to grow during 2010 despite the state of the economy and the fall of pro beach volleyball.

Somebody over there is doing something right because USAV added over 17,000 new members last year. This year the governing body will be able to expand the budget by $2 million and hire to fill new positions.

With the USAV's entry into the world of beach volleyball events planned for this summer and with the Olympics growing ever closer, this is great news for all involved. Add this tidbit to the FIVB's news of record investment in development and it appears that the state of the volleyball union is strong.

AVCA Division I-II Men's Coaches Top 15 Poll #4: January 31, 2011 

Others Receiving Votes and appearing on two or more ballots: Lewis 16; George Mason 8; Saint Francis 3; Loyola-Chicago 2 

One team mentioned on only one ballot for a total of three combined points 

Dropped Out: Loyola-Chicago 12 

Next poll: February 7, 2011 

Poll conducted and distributed by the AVCA

USAV to Hold Beach CAP in Southern Cal
B.J. Hoeptner Evans January 31, 2011

B.J. Hoeptner Evans
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: bj.evans@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 31, 2011) – USA Volleyball will host a Beach Coaching Accreditation Level I (BCAP) course on Feb. 12-13 at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. 

This beach-specific course will include on-court and in-classroom hands-on learning with an accent on the uniqueness of the beach game.

The emphasis of Beach CAP I is on teaching the skills of the beach game. Sessions include but are not limited to practicum in Teaching the Fundamental Skills, Motor Skill Learning Theory, Coaching Principles/Foundations, Developing the Coaching Philosophy, Ethics and Athlete Safeguards, Drill Design, Practice Preparation and Execution, and Basic Offensive/Defensive/Serve-Receive Organization Systems.

This course is open to all levels of coaches and is recommended for current or future club, NCAA, and professional level beach/sand coaches. BCAP Level I certification or higher will be a requirement to coach in USAV sanctioned camps, clinics and other programs.

The BCAP course will be led by Ali Wood Lamberson, USAV Director of Beach Programs and 15-year veteran of the AVP and FIVB tours; Jon Aharoni, USAV Coordinator of Beach Programs and Head Coach of the United States’ FIVB Youth World Champions; and Don Burroughs, Ohio Valley Region Education Director and IMPACT Master Instructor.

Successful completion of the BCAP course will result in a national certification. Please click here to register: USAV Beach CAP Course.

For additional information please contact the USAV Education Department at cap@usav.org or 719-228-6800.

Prerequisite: The USAV Beach IMPACT course is required as a pre-requisite to BCAP. If you have not completed the Beach IMPACT course, a Beach IMPACT webinar will be held Feb. 9-10 at 6-8:30 p.m. PT nightly.

Please click here to register for the Beach IMPACT on-line course.

All other requirements for certification apply: USAV Background Screen on file, CAP Coaching Code of Ethics on file, Drill and Coaching Philosophy submission, completion of online test after the course is attended, and others as explained at the conclusion of the course. If you have questions, please contact the USAV Education Department (cap@usav.org) before registering for this course!

U.S. Men's Update: A Fall to Fifth
B.J. Hoeptner Evans January 20, 2011

B.J. Hoeptner Evans
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: bj.evans@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 20, 2011) – A change in the FIVB rankings has dropped the U.S. Men’s National Team ranking from third to fifth.

According to the FIVB, “The changes come after the reduction of percentage points in continental championships (100 percent to 50 percent) and from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games (75 percent to 50 percent).”

Brazil and Russia remain in first and second, respectively. Serbia has moved up to third and Cuba has moved up to fourth.

To view the full FIVB men’s rankings, click here.

Reid Priddy hits against Russia
during the 2008 Olympic Games

RUSSIA

Three U.S. Men’s National Team members will take part in this weekend’s All-Star volleyball match for top players from the Super League, on Jan. 22 in Kemerovo, Russia.

In the past, Russia has had its best Russian players face the international stars competing in the Super League. This year, it has divided the players into East and West teams.

Outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.), who plays for league-leading Zenit Kazan, will play for Team West. Opposite Clay Stanley (Honolulu, Hawaii), who plays for Ural Ufa, and setter Kevin Hansen (Newport Beach, Calif.), who plays for Fakel Novy Urengoy, will both play for Team East.

U.S. middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) and setter Lloy Ball (Fort Wayne, Ind.) were both invited to play, but will use the time to rest for the second half of the season.

In last weekend’s Super League matches, Kazan defeated Ufa, 25-20, 25-12, 25-17 on Jan. 16. Priddy scored 13 points on 10 kills (0.64 hitting percentage) and three blocks. He also had eight receptions, 75 percent positive and 13 percent excellent. Ball started all three sets for Kazan, scoring one point on a block and setting the team to a 0.48 hitting percentage.

Kazan is in second place in the league while Ufa sits in 11th.

To view photos from the match, including a group of Kazan fans who are still fans of former Kazan player Clay Stanley, click here.

Hansen and Novy Urengoy also won last weekend, defeating Lokomotiv Belogorie, 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-13). Hansen played as a substitute in the second and third sets and scored one point on one kill. Novy Urengoy is in sixth place in the league while Belogorie is in fourth.

To view photos from the match, click here.

ITALY

U.S. outside hitter Sean Rooney (Wheaton, Ill.) and his Italian Serie A league team Acqua Paradiso Monza Brianza got back on the winning track with a 25-22, 25-23, 25-20 victory over U.S. middle blocker Max Holt (Cincinnati, Ohio) and his visiting team Copra Morpho Piacenza on Jan. 16.

Rooney was the second-leading scorer for his team with 10 points on nine kills (0.39 hitting percentage) and one block. He was credited with 12 receptions, 50 percent positive and 17 percent excellent. Holt had one point on one kill for visiting Copra.

In a Cup of Italy match on Jan. 19, Rooney and Monza Brianza lost to Itas Diatec Trentino, 25-27, 25-16, 25-19. Rooney scored five points on four kills and one block. He was credited with 22 receptions, 45 percent positive and 18 percent excellent.

U.S. outside hitter Matt Anderson (West Seneca, N.Y.) led his team Tonno Callipo Vibo Valentia with 20 points, but it wasn’t enough as host Vibo Valentia fell to Lube Banca Marche Macerata, 3-2 (21-25, 25-19, 25-13, 23-25, 15-9) on Jan. 16.

Anderson scored on 17 kills (0.33 hitting percentage) and three blocks. Anderson was also credited with 33 receptions, 64 percent positive and 39 percent excellent.

A few days later in Cup of Italy action on Jan. 19, Anderson again led his team with 19 points but Vibo Valentia again fell to Lube Banca Marche Macerata, 3-1 (25-27, 25-17, 25-17, 25-20). Anderson scored on 18 kills (0.47 hitting percentage) and one block. Anderson was credited with 24 receptions, 46 percent positive and 25 percent excellent.

U.S. outside hitter Paul Lotman (Lakewood, Calif.) was one of two leading scorers for Marmi Lanza Verona as it defeated M. Roma Volley, 26-24, 25-22, 25-23 on Jan. 16. Lotman scored 12 points on 11 kills (0.43 hitting percentage) and one ace. He was credited with 20 receptions, 80 percent positive and 60 percent excellent.

Lotman’s teammate, U.S. middle blocker Theo Brunner (Ridgefield, Conn.), scored nine points on nine kills (0.69 hitting percentage).

GREECE

Olympiacos, the Greek league team of U.S. outside hitter Jayson Jablonsky (Yorba Linda, Calif.), got a big victory over Panathinaikos on Jan. 16.

Olympiacos, which is in sixth place in the league, defeated Panathinaikos, the second-place team, 3-2 (25-21, 23-25, 23-25, 26-24, 15-11). Jablonsky started all five sets and scored 12 points on 11 kills (0.41 hitting percentage) and one block. He was credited with 23 receptions, 52 percent positive and 26 percent excellent.

To view some photos of Jablonsky in action, click here.

U.S. opposite Will Price (Gaithersburg, Md.) led all scorers with 17 points as GS Lamia defeated Aris, 3-1 (25-22, 18-25, 25-19, 25-19) on Jan. 15. Price scored on 15 kills (0.44 hitting percentage), one block and one ace. GS Lamia is in fourth place in the league.

PAOK and U.S. setter Jonathan Winder (Irvine, Calif.) took a 3-2 (25-18, 22-25, 25-27, 25-23, 15-13) victory over A.O. Kifisias on Jan. 16. Winder started all five sets and scored four points on one kill, one block and two aces. He set the team to a 0.35 hitting percentage. PAOK is in third place in the league.

League-leading Iraklis swept Ethnikos Alexandroupolis, 26-24, 25-19, 25-20 on Jan. 16. U.S. opposite Brook Billings (Santa Barbara, Calif.) was one of the scoring leaders with 12 points on five kills (0.71 hitting percentage), six blocks and one ace. U.S. outside hitter Ryan Owens (Evanston, Ill.) started only the first set and scored three points on two kills and one block.

POLAND

U.S. middle blocker Ryan Millar (Alpine, Calif.) and Asseco Resovia Rzeszów beat Delecta Bydgoszcz, 3-1 (22-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-23) on Jan. 18. Millar started all four sets and scored 10 points on seven kills (0.60 hitting percentage) and three blocks. Resovia Rzeszów is in second place in the league.

In Cup of Poland action on Jan. 19, Resovia Rzeszów defeated AZS Politechnika Warszawska, 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 25-23).

KOREA

Evan Patak (Pleasanton, Calif.) and his Korean league team Korean Air continue to lead the league despite losing two out of their last three matches.

On Jan. 16, KAL fell to Woori, 3-2 (25-19, 25-17, 23-25, 18-25, 15-10). Patak led his team with 15 points on 13 kills and two aces.

On Jan. 18, KAL came back to beat LIG, 25-21, 27-25, 25-18. Patak was one of KAL’s scoring leaders with 19 points on 17 kills, one block and one ace.

On Jan. 20, Samsung topped KAL, 25-21, 25-23, 25-20. Patak led his team with 17 points on 16 kills and one ace.

GERMANY

U.S. outside hitter Scott Touzinsky (St. Louis, Mo.) and his German league team SCC Berlin defeated Gotha, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 on Jan. 19. Touzinsky scored nine points on six kills (0.67 hitting percentage), one block and two aces. SCC Berlin is in third place in the league.

BRAZIL

U.S. middle blocker Russell Holmes (Fountain Valley, Calif.) and his Brazilian league team Vivo/Minas fell to Volta Redonda, 25-16, 25-23, 25-16 on Jan. 15. Holmes scored seven points on two kills and five blocks. Vivo/Minas is in sixth place in the league.

SPAIN

U.S. middle blocker David Smith (Saugus, Calif.) and Unicaja Almeria continue to lead the league following a 3-1 (25-23, 25-16, 23-25, 25-22) victory over FC Barcelona on Jan. 15.

Smith scored eight points on six kills (0.50 hitting percentage), one block and one ace.

FRANCE

U.S. setter Brian Thornton (San Clemente, Calif.) and his French B league team Chaumont defeated PI-Robinson, 25-22, 25-18, 25-16 on Jan. 15.

Thornton scored one point on an ace and set the team to a 0.61 kill percentage.

Feldman finishes a banner season
Updated: January 12, 2011, 7:49 PM 


When Heather Feldman attended Eden’s volleyball camp as a fifth-grader, she saw a banner in the gym commemorating Ashley DoEpp being named the Gatorade New York Volleyball Player of the Year.

“I saw her banner up in the gym, and I was like, ‘Wow, she must be really good, I want to be that good some day,’ ” said Feldman.

After being part of four state championships in five years, winning the MVP of this year’s ClassBstate tournament and being named to the All- Western New York first team for the second straight year, the Eden senior is that good. Feldman achieved that banner-worthy accomplishment this year. She is the first player from Eden to earn the honor since DoEpp won it in 2001 and 2002.

“To think that my banner is going to go in the school and inspire other kids to work harder,” Feldman said, “it’s surreal.”

Feldman is a 5-foot-9 setter whose all-around play and leadership helped drive Eden to a 48-2-1 record and its eighth state title this season. She recorded 1,367 assists, 455 digs and 108 service aces in her career and will play on scholarship at Division I Gardner- Webb in North Carolina next year.

The Gatorade award also recognizes high standards of academic achievement and character on and off the court. Feldman maintained an Aplus average while also volunteering at area nursing homes and with the Big Sister/Little Sister program.

The All-Western New York team, which included four state championship players and includes nine players who have signed with or who are being recurited by Division I programs, was selected by a panel of coaches in cooperation with The News.


Pierce to Penn State

Kendall Pierce passed up a scholarship offer from Syracuse to commit as a junior to attend Penn State—which said it will take her as a walk-on. That’s four-time reigning national champion Penn State, which won its latest title last Saturday.

“It will definitely be a challenge, every day, every practice, every minute of it,” said Pierce, “but that’s what I’m excited to do, play at the highest level and go for it every day.

“I’ve grown up playing at the highest levels with my uncle [Eden coach Stephen Pierce] and my dad [Eden boys coach Robert Pierce, who starred at Penn State] teaching me and playing at Eden, and I’ve always been inspired growing up watching Penn State.”

There is a possibility that Pierce could be able to earn a scholarship later on. “Nothing is guaranteed,” she said, “but they’ve definitely shown rewards to those who work hard.”

Around the courts

• The eighth state title by Eden extended its state record total of championships, a record it established last year by breaking a tie with six-time champion Sweet Home( 1990-95). This year’s title was a state-record seventh as head coach for 18-year coach Stephen Pierce; that broke a tie with Sweet Home coach Sally Kus, who Pierce has cited as a mentor.

• With Eden (Class B), Falconer (C) and Randolph (D) all winning state titles, it made for Section VI’s most successful year at the state championships since winning three in 2006 when Lancaster (AA), Eden (B) and Randolph (D) won.

In the 21 years that the state tournament has been held since 1990, only once—in 2003—did Section VI fail to win a state title, thanks in large part to the success of Sweet Home, Eden and three-time Class AA champ North Tonawanda (1997-99). Since 2004, the year the state expanded from four to five classes, Section VI has won 13 of the 35 state championships.

• Marah Maycock earned state championship MVP honors for Randolph, which is what older brother Mike did last year. Mike, a senior quarterback who hadn’t been asked to throw a pass nearly all postseason, had a great state final at the Carrier Dome to earn MVP honors as Randolph won the ClassDfootball title.

“You know you’re always talking, and now you have something to say back to him so he doesn’t have the one-up on you anymore,” said Maycock.

Marah returns next year, as does younger sister McKenna, an eighth-grader who earned second-team CCAA II honors. That’s good news for the Randolph athletic program—where their mom, Robin Maycock, is the athletic director and girls volleyball coach.

• Nikki Attea, a junior at Williamsville North, said that the instate options of the University at Buffalo, Syracuse and Cornell are currently at the top of a long list of colleges who have been recruiting her, including Maryland, Boston College, Miami, N. C. State and Duke.

• Sacred Heart lost twice in the regular season to the powerful St. Mary’s program each of the past two years, but both seasons ended with the Sharks beating the seven-time regular season champion Lancers in the Monsignor Martin championships.

“In the championship match we got some good revenge to show them we weren’t the same team from the regular season,” said Litwin.

• City Honors won its 25th straight Buffalo Public Schools championship this year—again without losing a game all season. Natalie Southard earned second-team All-Western New York honors while the All-High team included a total of 14 Centaurs, six first-teamers, four second-teamers and four honorable mentions.



kmcshea@buffnews.com