The FM Volleyball squad has spent the last two weeks preparing for the Regional Championship Tournament and on Saturday it will finally become a reality. FM is the #1 seed heading into the tournament and are eager to finally bring home the regional title. The top 8 teams qualify for the region and are broken into two pools. On Saturday, pool play starts at 10am which is round robin play, playing the best of three for each match. The top two teams from each pool advance and qualify for semi-finals on Sunday, and eventually the championship.
Photo L to R: Bri Eagan, Emily Orminski, Gabrielle Smith, Brittini Nestle, Jenna Putnam, Ruverlyn Marrero, Megan Ryder, Gianna Cruz, Brittany Orminski, Miranda Nethaway.
FM will play #8 Erie, #5 Corning and #4 Finger Lakes in pool play on Saturday. The Lady Raiders have been preparing with the drills they have done all year, but now they are harder and faster. The coaches have put a lot of emphasis on passing and playing defense at practices so FM can keep the ball in play, and run the plays they need to be successful. "It is a matter of pushing the girls as hard as we can," said Salvione. Our practice is the time we work on the mental aspects of the game, reflect on things we need to work on from previous matches, and try to perfect those areas as much as possible. We reflect on what if felt like on the court when things weren't going well, and focus on the changes that we make during those times to fight to get back on track."
The all local roster of ten is excited about regionals and all play a major role on the team. They are heading into the post season trying to protect their undefeated record and prove why they are ranked #6 in the nation and determined to win the Regional title. "We're excited to finally play our game. We're going into this weekend knowing that it is not going to be easy. We don't want our season to end this weekend," said senior libero Brittany Orminski.
"The comradery this team has is like no other team I have coached before. They trust and believe in each other and know that each person will be there to back them up. It is nice to see the hard work these girls have put into their season come together and pay off as it has this year. What's better is that the girls see that, and know that good things happen when you work as hard as these girls work, and the best part is that they have fun, they love the sport, and they push and encourage each other as much as the coaches do," exclaimed Salvione!
The Lady Raiders will head to Niagara CC on Friday where the tournament will be held all weekend. FM will begin pool play on Saturday vs. Erie CC, at approximately 11:30a.m. Check out the entire tournament schedule here.
Follow @fm_athletics on twitter and like "FM Raiders Athletics" on Facebook to get live updates from the tournament action all weekend long!
