Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Tiffany Poynter spikes the ball during the Mustangs win over visiting Tapestry this evening.

Medina opened non league volleyball competition this evening by scoring a straight set 25-5, 25-16, 25-9 victory over visiting Tapestry Charter of Buffalo.

Lexi Neuman had 8 service aces and Faith Henning 7 aces to lead the way for Medina at the service line.

The Mustangs also had Tiffany Poynter with 3 aces and 2 spiking kills, Emily Kams 2 aces and 2 kills, Leah Sheelar 3 aces, Victoria Schicker 2 kills and Alyssa Beyer 2 kills.

In a schedule change, Medina will next visit Byron-Bergen on Wednesday with the JV match at 4 p.m. and the varsity at 5:15 p.m.

Other local volleyball action this week will have Albion at Attica Wednesday, home to Alexander Friday and Newfane at Lyndonville on Thursday.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Kaleigh Kuzma (11) battles to bring the ball up field against Barker defender Morgan Szczepaniak (3) during the Lady Rams win over the host Lady Raiders this afternoon.

Jumping out to a 3-1 half-time advantage, Roy-Hart went on to defeat host Barker 5-1 this afternoon to open the Niagara-Orleans League girls soccer season.

In the other openers, Akron downed visiting Albion 4-1 and Newfane nipped defending champion Wilson 2-1 in double overtime.

Kaleigh Kuzma, Sophia LaPort and Meghan Washington took turns scoring the goals in the first half for Roy-Hart.

Mallory Gross scored Barker’s first half goal.

The Lady Rams then put a lock on the victory with second half goals by Maddy Glena and Washington.

Akron 4, Albion 1
Unable to connect on a barrage of second half shots, Albion dropped a 4-1 decision at Akron.

Trailing 2-1, Albion outshot Akron 15-2 in the second half but could not connect as 5 of the shots rattled off the post.

Akron grabbed the half-time lead on a pair of goals by Jenna Robnett.

The Lady Tigers added a pair of big insurance goals in the second half on tallies by Kara Sequin and Emily Winney.

Emily Blanchard scored Albion’s lone goal which briefly knotted the score at 1-1 early in the first half.

Albion next faces the host Lady Hawks at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the opening round of the Holley Tournament.

Newfane 2, Wilson 1 (2OT)

A goal by Lila Maurer in the second overtime period earned Newfane the victory over rival defending champion Wilson as Adelyn Burns earned the assist.

Alaina Jonathan scored the Lady Panthers other goal in the second half.

Roy-Hart’s Meghan Washington (23) tries to put a shot on goal as the Barker trio of Abby Bachman (1), Morgan Szazepaniak (3) and Maya Gooding (4) defend.

Fielding a compete five player team for the first time on the young season, Albion defeated Newfane 256-262 in a Niagara-Orleans League golf match this morning at Hickory Ridge.

Nick Penna and Victor Benjovski shared medalist honors with rounds of 42 for Albion which previously had only four players available for the season’s first two matches. Patrick Ricker added a 43 for the Purple Eagles.

Tyler Wagner shot 44 and Paige Emborsky 47 for Newfane.

Albion is now 1-2 in N-O competition and Newfane 0-4.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Roy-Hart’s large veteran group includes, in front, Victoria Stanczyk, Kayla May and Sydnie Oetinger. In back are Skyler Christopher, Aspen Moore, Brianna Brewer, Bea Bacon and Olivia Vorholzer.

After two years of building Roy-Hart boasts a large contingent of eight returnees with which to contend for top Niagara-Orleans League volleyball honors this season.

Seniors Bea Bacon, who earned first team N-O All-League honors and Brianna Brewer, a second team selection, along with junior Olivia Vorholzer, an Honorable Mention pick, head Roy-Hart’s veteran group.

That group also includes seniors Kayla May and Victoria Stanczyk along with juniors Sydnie Oetinger and Skyler Christopher and sophomore Aspen Moore.

Another sophomore, Paige Dent, also looks to contribute.

“They’re seasoned,” said Coach Bill Holahan. “Two years ago we were green. Last year we made progress so this should be the strongest of the three years. We’re feeling pretty good about this group. We’ve got good balance.”

Roy-Hart, which went 7-5 in N-O competition last season, will open league competition at defending champion Albion on September 7.

Schedule
September: 1 – at Pembroke, 6:30 p.m.; 6 – Lyndonville, 6:30 p.m.; 7 – at Albion, 6:30 p.m.; 9 – Pembroke, 6:30 p.m.; 10 – at Albion Tournament, 8 a.m.; 13 – Medina, 6:30 p.m.; 15 – Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 19 – at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 22 – at Wilson, 6:30 p.m.; 29 – Albion, 6:30 p.m..
October: 5 – at Medina, 6:30 p.m.; 7 – at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; 12 – at Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 6:30 p.m.; 14 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 15 – at North Tonawanda Tournament, 8 a.m. 18 – Wilson, 6:30 p.m.; 21 – at Medina, 6:30 p.m.

Exploding for three goals in the first nine minutes, Medina went on to defeat host Cheektowaga 4-1 today as the Mustangs snapped a brief two game season opening losing streak.

Martha Gardner and Destiny Satkowski each scored a pair of goals for Medina which opens the Niagara-Orleans League season at home Friday against Akron.

Gardner gave Medina a lightning quick lead when she scored in the opening minute off an assist from Kylie Bielak.

Satkowski then tallied twice, at the 5 and 9 minute marks off assists from Morgan Roach and Olivia Carter, to put the Mustangs firmly in control.

Gardner netted the Mustangs final goal at the 22 minute mark of the first half.

Boys Soccer
Albion 1, Avon 1 OT
Albion battled to a 1-1 overtime tie at Avon in an unusual contest which saw both goals come on penalty kicks.

Albion grabbed 1-0 lead midway through the first half on a penalty kick goal by Noah Goudreau.

Avon pulled even on a penalty kick tally with six minutes to go in the second half.

Albion next visits Akron at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to open the Niagara-Orleans League season.

Tuning up for Wednesday’s key early season matchup, Medina defeated Newfane 236-302 at Shelrdige this morning and defending champion Wilson posted a school record score in downing host Akron 195-257 at Dandee Farms.

Ian Wagner took medalist honors with a 38 and Trevor Luthart added a 43 for Medina which next hosts Wilson at Shelridge Wednesday.

Connor Seeley shot 34, Jonah Miller 36 and Nate Fox 37 to set the blistering pace for Wilson which also had Nick Seider with a 42 and Patrick Seeley a 46.

“They are playing really good golf right now,” said Wilson Coach Mark Kurtz.

In the other match, Barker won by forfeit ver Albion which had only four players available.

Barker’s Jake Meister and Albion’s Nick Penna shared medalist honors with rounds of 42.

Jake Harris also had a 47 for Barker as did Patrick Ricker for Albion.

Medina, Wilson, Barker and Roy-Hart are now all tied for first place at 2-0 with Albion at 0-2 and Akron and Newfane both at 0-3.

The annual Holley boys and girls tournaments will highlight a busy week of area high school soccer competition.

The Holley boys tournament gets underway on Wednesday with Batavia vs. Alden at 4:30 p.m. followed by Roy-Hart vs. Holley at 6:30 p.m. The consolation and championship games will be on Friday.

The Lady Hawks Tournament begins on Thursday with Batavia vs. Greece Olympia at 4:30 p.m. followed by Albion vs. Holley at 6:30 p.m. The consolation and championship games will be on Saturday.

The Niagara-Orleans League girls season opens at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday with defending champion Wilson at rival Newfane, Albion at Akron and Roy-Hart at Barker.

Wilson, which went on to win Section VI and Far West Regional titles and a state semifinal contest last fall is led by a trio of first team N-O All-League honorees including senior forward Kayla Neumann, senior midfielder Emily Patterson and junior goalie Emily Kelly along with second team honoree senior midfielder Jen Darlak.

Newfane likewise returns a good nucleus including first team All-Leaguers junior midfielder Emily Foltz and senior defender Makena Carpenter along with second team honorees, forward Kayleigh Daniels and defender Kaelan Swogier, both seniors.

N-O boys competition gets underway on Wednesday with defending champion Newfane hosting rival Wilson and Albion visiting Akron at 4:30 p.m.

Newfane is led by two returning first team N-O All-League honorees in midfielders Trevor Moreland and Clayton Cleveley, both juniors, along with second team honoree, junior midfielder Mateo May.

Wilson, which got the season off to a fast start by winning the Tonawanda Tournament this past weekend is led by returning first team All-League forward Cesar Carlin, a junior who scored two goals in both tournament games. The Lakemen also return first team All-League defender Josh LiPuma, a senior.

One non league boys game Wednesday will have Medina/Lyndonville facing Tonawanda at Lyndonville at 4:30 p.m.

The Genesee Region League girls season begins on Thursday as Lyndonville hosts Notre Dame at 4:30 p.m. On Saturday, defending Division 1 champion Kendall visits Attica at 11 a.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Leading Lyndonville into the upcoming Genesee Region League volleyball season is this veteran trio of Paige Gardner, Kennedy Clark and Skyler Lear.

The accent is on youth this season for the Lyndonville girls varsity volleyball team.

Senior Kennedy Clark along with juniors Paige Gardner and Skyler Lear, provide the veteran experience for the Lady Tigers who are also looking to juniors Cassie Maynard and Mercedes Benedict along with sophomore Alecia Hinkson.

“We’ve got some good players but we’re young so we will be looking to gain experience and improve as the season goes on,” said Coach Kerry Papaj.

The Lady Tigers will open the season at home on Thursday with a non league match against Newfane and visit Wheatland-Chili on September 8 to begin Genesee Region League competition.

Schedule
September: 1 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 6 – at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; 8 – at Wheatland-Chili, 6:30 p.m.; 14 – at Byron-Bergen, 6:30 pm.; 16 – Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 6:30 p.m.; 20 – Alexander, 6:30 p.m.; 22 – Notre Dame, 6:30 p.m.; 26 – at Pembroke, 6:30 p.m.; 27 – Wilson, 6:30 p.m.; 29 – Northeast, 5 p.m.
October: 1 – Holley, 3 p.m.; 3 – Medina, 6:30 p.m.; 4 – at Holley, 6:30 p.m.; 7 – Kendall, 6:30 p.m.; 11 – at Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 6:30 p.m.; 12 – at Alexander, 6:30 p.m.; 14 – Wheatland-Chili, 6:30 p.m.; 17 – at Northeast, 6 p.m.; 19 – at Attica, 6:30 p.m.

Photo by Mike Wertman – Getting set to lead Barker into the upcoming field hockey season are these returnees. From left are Natalie Menz, Sarah Mason, Grayce Weller, Lydia Dewart, Emily Annable and Katrina Clare.

Underclassmen and inexperience dot the lineup for perennial Niagara-Orleans League field hockey power Barker heading into the upcoming season.

The senior trio of Grayce Weller (Midfield/Defense), Lydia Dewart (Attack) and Emily Annable (Attack) head Barker’s small veteran contingent which also includes juniors Sarah Mason (Defense/Midfield) and Natalie Menz (Attack) along with freshman Katrina Clare (Attack).

The Lady Raiders are also looking to juniors Cara Fox (Goalie), Abigail Ignatowski (Goalie), Jillian Moeller (Attack), Grace Harris (Defense/Midfield), Haley Brown (Attack/Midfield), Casey A’Hearn (Midfield/Defense) and freshman Ciara Gregoire (Attack).

“Our younger players traditionally have experience at the varsity level but not much this year,” said Coach Jeff Costello. “Our younger players will need to develop quickly and make an impact early in the season for us to give us a boost and some momentum through the league schedule. All players will be expected to contribute minutes and production throughout all areas/positions on the field.”

Barker, which had its nine year N-O title run snapped last fall by Akron, was hit hard by graduation with the loss of 10 players including first team N-O honorees Caitlyn Mason (Goalie) and Erika Moeller (Defense), second team honorees Madison Greenwald (Defense) and Kelsie Engert (Defense) and Honorable Mention picks Erin Greenwald, (Attack) Emma Duffy (Attack) and Rebecca Stoloski (Attack).

“Having lost so many key players on attack, at midfield, on defense and in goal we will need all of our new players to take advantage of their opportunities,” said Costello. “Our theme is ‘Tradition Never Graduates’. We just have to fill the roles with new players and new faces and work hard to be productive and successful. It’s up to this new group of players to step up to the challenges.”

Barker, which went 10-1-1 in N-O competition last fall, opens the season at Newfane on September 6 and then hosts defending champion Akron on September 8.

Schedule
September: 6 – at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; 8 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 12 – at Nichols, 4:45 p.m.; 13 – at Medina, 4:45 p.m.; 15 – at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 20 – at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 22 – Kenmore, 5 p.m.; 27 – Nichols, 4:45 p.m.; 29 – Newfane, 4:45 p.m.
October: 4 – at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 6 – Medina, 4:45 p.m.; 11 – Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; 13 – Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; 18 – at Kenmore, 4:45 p.m.

Four different players contributed touchdowns as Albion blanked Attica 40-0 Saturday in the JV Division of the Niagara Orleans Football Association (NOFA).

Shikwe Riley had touchdown runs of 60 and 16 yards, Jacob Hughson ran 32 yards for one score and had a fumble recovery return of 60 yards and Amari Jones ran 24 yards for one TD and passed 64 yards to Javon Jones for another.

Riley had a total of 125 yards rushing and Shakarion Drisdom 45.

On defense, Amari Jones had 13 tackles, Hughson 6 and Bryden McMurray 5 as Riley and Drisdom also both had fumble recoveries.

Attica did not have Mini or Varsity Division teams.