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

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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.

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