Boys volleyball: Region champs Spencerport, Webster advance to boys volleyball states
About 50 people celebrated Spencerport's state tournament-clinching victory with dinner at TC Hooligans Saturday night.
The postgame festivities, however, are moot from here on out for the Rangers, at least until they accomplish unfinished business in their return to states.
Shaun Cannon guided three-time Section V champion Spencerport to another NYSPHSAA Far West Regional Class B title, this time defeating Section VI's East Aurora/Holland in a five-set thriller. The Rangers squeaked out a 25-20, 24-26, 23-25, 25-24, 15-11 victory in front of a home crowd at Webster Schroeder.
Some of Spencerport's key hitters played through injuries. One couldn't even finish the match. But the Rangers (20-3) had more than enough players who stepped up, on and off the floor.
"It was just another display of them persevering through the adversity," Spencerport coach Aaron Austin said.
Section V will again send two teams to states. Webster coach Greg Kennedy's Lakers (22-1), fresh of their first section title since 1996, won the Class A region final with four-set win over perennial Section VI champion Orchard Park.
More:Section V boys volleyball scores for the 2022 season
Girls volleyball: States-bound Irondequoit, Wayne, Harley-Allendale-Columbia win regionals
What's next
Spencerport and Webster are both headed to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association tournament Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Albany Capital Center.
Spencerport, Jamesville-DeWitt (Section III) and Hauppauge (Section VIII) will participate in the Division II pool play tournament. The Rangers reached the final last season, falling to Section XI's Eastport South Manor.
Webster will join Shenendehowa (Section II) and Massapequa (Section VIII) in the Division I tourney.
Player(s) of the match
Class B
Spencerport senior setter Shaun Cannon spread out the kills with hitters Brody Jackson and Gage Berry playing on injured ankles.
Rangers win!!!! @Rangers_BVB is STATE BOUND!!!!@SpencerportCSD pic.twitter.com/ECT5mMUfxn
— Spencerport Rangers (@Ranger_Sports) November 12, 2022
Cannon conducted the offense with 42 assists. Jackson, who won Section V's Class B MVP on a sprained ankle, put down 17 kills despite rolling his other ankle during the week. Berry, who walks in a boot outside of volleyball, had five kills before his injury forced him to miss the final two sets.
Collin Auburn had 12 kills. Jackson Brumm had 12 kills. Matthew Bodensteiner, who made clutch serves in the section final, added seven kills. Declan Claeys and Dominic Kessler each had two kills.
Class A
Zach Zian had another standout defensive effort with 17 digs and posted a serve receive percentage of 98%. Bodey Groff handed out 44 assists, helping Jacob Grams put down 15 kills, Griffin Monrad with 13 kills, and Joey Preische to 12 kills.
Unsung heroes
Class B
Spencerport's Bailey Zambuto was spectacular on defense. He made a team-high 17 digs, leading a stout team defensive performance to combat East Aurora/Holland's strong outside hitters. Zambuto was "steady" in Game 1 but his play stood out in the final two sets.
"He's one of those guys that wasn't letting the ball hit the floor in the fourth and fifth game," Austin said.
Edrian Rivera made key serves to put the fifth set out of reach. Even the bench made their presence felt by being active with the Rangers' season on the line.
"Everyone realized their role was important," Austin said.
Class A
Evan Lukasiewicz added seven kills and three blocks in Webster's win. Cal Lill stepped up with five kills and two blocks.
Turning points
Class B
Spencerport couldn't close out the second and third sets and fell behind 2-1.
The Rangers erased a deficit to win Game 4 25-23 with their season on a string. Austin said his players played close attention to detail, doing everything possible to keep the ball off the floor.
"They just realized the end of the season was staring at them," Austin said. "They stopped waiting for plays to be given to then and made plays on their own. Every little play mattered."
"Going to five is gut-wrenching. … Somehow we pulled it out. It was a team effort."
Class A
Webster lost a tough first set to Orchard Park 24-26. The Lakers narrowly escaped Game 2 with a tight 28-26 triumph before concluding the match in four.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Spencerport, Webster advance to boys volleyball state tournament
