Williamsville South spikers down Albion in Class B state qualifier

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 6 November 2014 at 12:00 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Chanyce Powell (10) spikes over Williamsville South’s Kelsey Stasiak (8) during the Purple Eagles loss to the Billies in the Section VI Class B state qualifier match this evening at Lockport High School.

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.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Ashlee Bocach goes into the chairs to save the ball as coaches Ann Capacci and Charlie Croff and several players look on. Meghan Hurley is in the foreground.

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.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Sara Millspaugh (5) sets the ball over the net against South’s Kelsey Stasiak (8) and Kim Dunkleman (15).

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.