GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Ken West wins battle of NFL’s best

Sports

Related Photos

October 3, 2008

By Dave Ricci The Tonawanda News Fri Oct 03, 2008, 01:19 AM EDT

TOWN OF TONAWANDA — Just call it an instant classic.

In the marquee match-up of the night in girls volleyball, Taylor Lewandowski had 17 kills, including the match-point in a wild 39-37 victory in the third and final game as the first place Kenmore West Lady Blue Devils beat second place North Tonawanda in Niagara Frontier League action at the Kenmore West Athletic Complex Thursday.

Trailing at 22-18, the Blue Devils regrouped and pushed it to a 24-all score, and set the tone for arguably the most exciting, heart-stopping single game that will be played in the NFL this season.

Tremendous volleys were executed throughout as both teams displayed great communication, well timed passes, good defense and most impressively, a willingness to sacrifice their bodies by hitting the floor to keep the play alive.

With the excitement on the floor and in the stands growing with each point registered virtually everyone in the gym has visions of the score reaching into the 40s.

With Ken West (9-0, 11-0) up 38-37, Lewandowski (12 digs), an outside hitter, leaped into the air as she took the pass from setter Kaley Vazquez (37 assists, 14 digs) and drove home the winning point.

“That was insane it was so intense,” said Blue Devil Kelly Hess, as the excitement was still pulsating through her body.

“It was so amazing. It was so awesome. I don’t know what to say.”

Hess had eight kills, 10 digs and, along with Jamie Racinowski and Danielle Frye, took turns making crucial blocks at the net.

While both teams displayed a passion to win, the Blue Devils showed a little more poise and aggressiveness in Game Three. That combined with a good mix in their offensive approach made the difference.

“We worked on that (Wednesday) a lot,” said West coach Kelly Strong. “Mixing up our offense, trying to find holes, trying to keep them off guard and it seemed to work.”

Joey Fretthold had 13 digs while outside hitter Lauren Metzger was solid with 11 kills for the Jacks (6-2, 8-4) as they played strong in Game Three, but left pondering missed chances and still searching for that good consistency throughout.

“I told them today the first two games ‘guys it looked like we felt sorry for ourselves. We were ready to play but I guess we can’t.’” Said Jacks coach Jess Anderson. “Then they came out and they decided they wanted to win the third game-they had the chance.”

Chelsea Moore had another sterling defensive game for Ken West as she recorded 16 digs, while Taylor Akins had 17 assists for the Jacks.

Text Only

Sports

Tonawanda welcomes four more on cherished Wall of Fame
Chris “Mr. Tonawanda” Slauson (Class of 1998), Tom Perkovich (’99), John White (’75) and Jim Keller (’54) were enshrined as part of the 2012 Tonawanda High School Athletic Wall of Fame class prior to Tonawanda’s 69-45 win over Eden Thursday night inside the George Miller Gymnasium.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Hagner leads Joe’s past North
February 9, 2012
THS's Perkovich, Keller, White and Slauson next on Wall
February 9, 2012
Ken East ranked atop recent state polls
February 9, 2012
Warriors unbeaten no more
It’s been almost a year since the Tonawanda boys basketball team felt the sting of defeat.
Tuesday, the reminder of that sting left the previously unbeaten Warriors speechless.

February 7, 2012 1 Photo
White records career win over Davis
February 7, 2012
Unbeaten THS hosts Cleve Hill tonight
February 6, 2012
NT’s Bradt, McCabe both have bounced back
North Tonawanda’s Ryan Bradt and Zach McCabe had to put in a little extra work to get back on the court this season.

February 6, 2012
THS tops Eden, takes sole possession of first
Make that two Tonawanda varsity basketball teams sitting atop the ECIC IV standings.

February 3, 2012
Lady Jacks tripped up on senior night
February 3, 2012 1 Photo
More Sports Headlines

Sports

Search Results

Related Photos

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Ken West wins battle of NFL’s best

Site Map

Contact Us