By Chris Metcalf
LCAA’S FINEST
WAYLAND – York and Livonia will be competing for Section V Volleyball titles starting tonight in Wayland and ending tomorrow in Bloomfield.
Sixth-seeded York, who has pulled off back-to-back upsets over No. 3 CG Finney and No. 2 Cuba-Rushford, will take on top-seeded Alexander in tonight’s Class D1 title game at Wayland-Cohocton at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, No. 2 Livonia will take on No. 1 Midlakes in the Class B title game at 1 p.m. at Bloomfield HS.
Livonia defeated a tough Mynderse squad in their semifinals.
No. 6 York vs. No. 1 Alexander Friday, 7 p.m. at Wayland-Cohocton HS.
York (15-6) enters the contest with lots of momentum after knocking out the No. 3 and No. 2 seeds respectively.
Strong play from the outside hitters with eighth-grader Bailey Orman and junior captain Ariana Roessel has been crucial in York’s post-season run. York is also getting solid play from junior captain and the team’s libero Paola Rios-Santiago, who has been consistent as well as solid middle play from juniors Rylee Cuozzo and Mia Hilyard.
Setters Hayley Miller, a junior, and sophomore Lena Balisciano, have both been playing at a high level the past few games.
York’s five-set victory over a very good Cuba-Rushford team in the semifinals has the Lady Knights feeling good about themselves heading into Friday’s showdown.
Rios-Santiago (31 digs) and Roessel (30 digs) combined for a Section V-best 61 digs in York’s quarterfinal win over Finney.
Alexander enters the game 19-2 with one of those losses coming against C1 finalist Attica.
The Trojans were beaten in last year’s D1 semifinals by eventual champion HAC while York fell in the D2 semifinals to champion Pavilion.
Alexander, who has been to the finals three of the past four years, defeated No. 5 Bolivar-Richburg in four sets in the semis.
Alexander’s top player is senior outside hitter Alyssa Kramer, who does it all for the green and gold including her double-double of 14 digs and 14 kills against B-R. York needs to try and keep the ball away from Kramer’s side of the court.
Alexander’s playmaker is senior Holly Bykowski and senior Makaya Raines is one of the area’s top liberos.
No. 2 Livonia vs. No. 1 Midlakes Saturday, 1 p.m. at Bloomfield HS.
Livonia comes in with a record of 18-3 while Midlakes enters the contest 17-4.
The Bulldogs won the LCAA D-I title while Midlakes captured the Finger Lakes East crown.
Livonia last won the sectional title in 2007 when they defeated Attica in the Class B finals. That same year they defeated Midlakes in the semifinals.
Midlakes won the title a year ago, competing in Class C1 when they defeated Aquinas.
Livonia
Signature wins- Aquinas, Le Roy (LCAA D-II champ and C1 finalist), Perry (LCAA D-III champ) and Hornell (Class B semis). Defeated Aquinas twice this season, both times in five sets. Swept Class B semifinalist Hornell twice.
Livonia’s top players include seniors Lillie Capecci, Hannah Ingram, Julie Renner, Morgan Meys, Caroline Cendoma, Ava Simmons and Megan Tumminelli and sophomore Kiley Tumminelli.
Livonia stats…. Ingram (144 kills, 67 digs, 56 aces, 17 blocks); Renner (182 assists, 60 aces, 32 digs); Capecci (185 assists, 57 aces, 78 kills); Cendoma (91 kills, 35 aces, 35 digs); and Simmons (107 kills, 32 aces
31 digs, 11 blocks).
Common Opponents- Livonia swept Greece Odyssey and so did Midlakes; Livonia defeated Mynderse in three sets while Midlakes beat them in four. Livonia swept Hornell both times they played while Midlakes beat HHS in four sets.
Midlakes
Top players include six-foot sophomore outside hitter Clara Bond is a strong hitter while junior Chloe Collett is the team’s setter and playmaker. Also, watch out for senior libero and team captain Katelyn Martin and freshman outside hitter Emma Labour.
