JOHNSTOWN – The Lady Raiders won the conference volleyball championship this past weekend, but they have not been resting on their laurels. Rather, it's been a week of focused practice as the team prepares for their next challenge: the Region 3 Championship Tournament.
The top eight teams in the region will compete for the Region 3 crown on Saturday and Sunday at Niagara County CC. All eight will play on Saturday. Four will advance to the semifinals and finals on Sunday.
FM received the #3 seed for the tourney, so they will play the #6, #7, and #2 teams on Saturday.
The Lady Raiders will take a 21-3 record into the tourney. They have won their last three, and 10 of their last 11 matches.
Head Coach Rachael Salvione's squad has very good balance, and they defend as well as they attack. FM's two middle hitters, Whitney Ostrander and Katlyn Pierce, stand out for their kills and blocks, but the other five members of Coach Salvione's usual seven-player rotation also fulfill their roles very well.
Outside hitters Elizabeth Hayward, Kaylee Robinson, and Karissa Morey win their share of points and are adept defenders. Setter Zara Hyde sets up the middles and outsides with great consistency and effectiveness. She also has a keen sense of when and where to make an attacking shot herself. Defensive specialist Kaylee Gillen is a fearless player who makes the digs and saves that the team needs, some of which are spectacular. She has also been known to kill the ball from behind the 10-foot line.
Photo: FM's defensive play is one of the keys to their success. Here, when Karissa Morey goes up for a kill, four teammates are defending against a possible block. These defenders are, from left, Zara Hyde, Kaylee Gillen, Kaylee Robinson, and Katlyn Pierce.
When asked about this week's efforts, Coach Salvione replied, "We have been prepping all week, putting the team in game-like situations and scrimmaging as much as possible. We are working to stay strong mentally as well. The athletes know that attitude and mental strength are huge components to controlling a match."
Salvione added, "Our goal that the team set in August was to lead our conference and go to the regionals. These goals are something we continue to discuss at practice week after week, so that we continue to maintain our focus. Keeping the girls healthy was another goal, which we have been able to accomplish throughout the season as we rely on the seven for the majority on our play. The players and coaches are very pleased with the way the season has gone and are really looking forward to regionals!"
C.J. Bonny, website writer
The Region 3 tournament format
The eight teams in the tournament compete in two pools. Third-seeded FM is in Pool B, along with #2 SUNY Adirondack, #6 Jefferson CC, and #7 Finger Lakes CC. Pool A consists of #1 Monroe CC, #4 Jamestown CC, #5 Niagara CCC, and #9 Onondaga CC (who defeated #8 Broome CC in a subregional match). Each team will play each other team in its pool on Saturday.
The Saturday matches will be best-of-three sets, rather than the usual best-of-five. FM will play Jefferson at 10:00 a.m., Finger Lakes mid-day, and Adirondack in the afternoon.
The top two teams from each pool will play in the semifinals at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. The top team in the A pool will play the second team from the B pool, and the top team from the B pool will play the second team from the A pool. All of the Sunday matches will be best-of-five.
The two semifinal winners will play for the Region 3 Championship in the early afternoon. The winner will be the regional champion and will go on to the national championship tournament in Minnesota on November 14 and 15.
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