Williamsville South spikers down Albion in Class B state qualifier
Ignited by a powerful spiking attack, Wiliamsville South scored a straight set 25-8, 25-16, 25-14 victory over Albion in the Section VI Class B state qualifier match this evening at Lockport High School.
Setting the tone at the outset, Class B1 champion South roared out to commanding leads of 9-1 and 17-3 in the first set behind of flurry of early kills spearheaded by Jessica Miller, Madison Clark and Melissa Postek..
“They are a very good team,” said Albion Coach Ann Capacci. “We knew we would have to bring our A game. Look at the height they have.”
Three kills helped South jump out to a 6-1 lead at the outset of the second set but Class B2 champion Albion came battling back.
A kill and a ace by Chanyce Powell, along with kills by Sara Millspaugh and Kelsee Soule and a block by Aleah Foos, helped to pull the Purple Eagle to within one at 9-8.
South though answered back with four kills by Miller to move back out to an 18-10 lead.
Albion did come battling back one more time as two blocks by Foos, along with a kill and an ace by Powell, cut the deficit to 18-14 but the Purple Eagles could get no closer.
South took seven of the next nine points to win the set and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.
Two kills by Powell helped Albion stay within two at 6-4 early in the third set. However, South continued to get points off spikes and steadily upped the advantage to 18-9.
The closest Albion could get after that was 19-13 following kills by Soule and Powell, as two kills by Postek helped South quickly close out the set and the match.
Powell finished with a total of 9 kills, 2 aces and 1 block for Albion as Foos had 3 blocks and 2 kills, Millspaugh 3 kills, Soule 2 kills and Meghan Hurley 1 kill.
“They did have a very good team and I hope they go far,” said Capacci, “I was very proud of our kids though. They played hard all the way and they never quit.”
Niagara-Orleans League champion Albion, which finishes the season at 19-2, advanced to the state qualifier by capturing the Class B2 title with a straight set win over Cheektowaga.
South gained a berth in the state qualifier by winning the Class B1 title with a straight set victory over Starpoint.