Title three-peat highlights Albion’s volleyball season

Photo contributed by Lorie Soule – The players and coaches for Albion’s now three time defending Niagara-Orleans League champion volleyball squad, shown here after taking top honors at the Churchville-Chili Tournament, include, in front from right, Sierra Newton, Kiara Smith, Ashlee Bocach, Kassidy Hastings and Meghan Hurley. In back are Caitlynn Snook, Kaitlyn VanSkiver, Kelsee Soule, Emilie Barleben, Aleah Foos, Cameron Tucker, Chanyce Powell and Coach Ann Capacci.

Extending their reign, the Albion Purple Eagles varsity volleyball team recently put together a third straight undefeated (12-0) Niagara-Orleans League championship season.

The veteran quintet of seniors Kelsee Soule, Meghan Hurley, Ashlee Bocach, Aleah Foos and junior Chanyce Powell led the way for the Purple Eagles whose starting group also included senior Kassidy Hastings and junior Kaitlyn VanSkiver.

Powell had 266 spiking kills, Soule 217, Hurley 118 and Foos 86 to lead Albion at the net.

Hurley also had 95 aces, Powell 74, Soule 72 and VanSkiver to set the pace for the Purple Eagles at the service line.

“This was a special group of kids, a great group of kids,” said Coach Ann Capacci in noting that several of her regulars have played together on the varsity for three years.

The Purple Eagles, in fact, went 17-0 during the regular season which also included non league victories over Genesee Region League co-champions Notre Dame and Byron-Bergen.

Albion bested Amherst in the opening round of the Section VI Class B playoffs to go to 18-0 before bowing to Iroquois in four sets in the quarterfinals to finish at 18-1.

“It’s unfortunate that first loss came in the sectionals but there are lot of good teams in our section,” said Capacci. “it wasn’t for a lack of trying though. This group always gave it all they had.”

Interestingly, 10th seeded Iroquois went on to capture the Section VI Class B championship defeating top seeded Maryvale in the finals in straight sets 25-14, 25-18, 25-22.