GAME OF THE WEEK: ICC vs. MAPLE HILL
Greg Dedrick
ccSCOOP Sports
02-09-10 - 11:00 a.m. - Virtually needing to win out the rest of their schedule to assure themselves the second seed in Sectionals the Ichabod Crane volleyball team got some revenge for an early season loss to Maple Hill, topping the Wildcats 3-1 in Valatie on Wednesday.
The Riders started the first game off well, with Jake Gulisane playing well at the net and ICC jumping out to an early 4-1 lead. Maple Hill started hitting better and quickly got back into the match before Sam Matacchiero had two kills to get the Riders up 7-5. The Wildcats quickly responded and went on a run, which included a controversial call when the ball was allowed to be played off the basketball backboard, which resulted in a point for Maple Hill.
Maple Hill seemed in command until Will Valley reeled off four straight service points to knot things at 13. The rest of the match was tight, but some ICC miscues at the very end gave Maple Hill a 25-23 victory. |
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The two teams started the second game going back and forth scoring points on each other. Thanks to some strong play by Justin Stall and Matacchiero, the Riders were in control, and Matacchiero closed out a 25-16 win with three straight service points.
Maple Hill started the third off hot, but the Riders fired back. Back-to-back kills by Valley brought the Riders from down 1 to up 14-13. ICC continued their run and were on the brink of a second match. Valley again came through with a big kill to hand ICC the 25-18 win.
With the chance to close out the victory, the Riders played solid volleyball, covering and swinging well. Some Maple Hill miscues and solid play by the Riders gave Ichabod the advantage late. The game looked like it was all but over until a furious rally by the Wildcats made things interesting. After being up 24-15, the Riders surrendered five straight points to allow the Wildcats back in. Still it would take another six straight for the Wildcats to knot the match at 2-2, and Valley put an end to those hopes with a back row kill to seal the 25-20 win.
Valley finished with 20 kills and 12 service points in the win, while David Winch had 24 assists, 7 service points, and 5 kills. Alex Maloy quietly picked up 16 assists setting opposite Winch and added 6 service points. Justin Stall chipped in with 11 service points and 9 kills, while Sam Matacchiero tallied 6 kills and 6 service points. Jake Guilisane had a solid day upfront, finishing with 3 kills, 3 blocks, and 3 service points in the win.
