The Lady Raiders wouldn't go down without a fight in the final day of the Region III Championship Tournament. FM matched up against Jamestown in the the semi-finals and took care of business there.
Photo L to R, back row: Coach Rachael Salvione, Bri Eagan, Emily Orminski, Gianna Cruz, Brittany Orminski, Asst. Coach Tina Olyer. Front row L to R: Gabrielle Smith, Brittini Nestle, Jenna Putnam, Ruverlyn Marrero, Megan Ryder.
The semi-final match was best out of five and a place where the Raiders have lost in recent years, but not this time around! The Raiders took the match 3-1. In the first set, Jamestown was able to get the win as FM battled from behind, but it wasn't enough as they fell 22-25. From then on it was all Lady Raiders and they went on to dominate the rest of the match. FM was behind 22-24, but clawed their way back to a 27-25 victory to tie it up 1-1. In the third set, FM was able to play with the lead as Miranda Nethaway put FM ahead for good, 14-13, which led to a 25-21 FM victory. In the fourth set, FM was determined to seal the ticket to the finals as Gianna Cruz and Jenna Putnam led the Raiders to a 25-20 victory and a 3-1 match win.
View pictures from the Region III Championship Tournament here
View pictures from the entire 2016 Season here
For the first time, FM was in the Region III finals. The coaches and players worked so hard all season long to get there and they would face up against the tough Jefferson Cannoneers. Jefferson was the only team to defeat the Raiders early on in the season. Unfortunately, FM couldn't get much going in the first two sets as Jefferson went on to win 21-25 and 22-25, to go up 2-0.
FM wasn't going to give up without a fight. They battled back in game three and completely dominated Jefferson 25-18. FM looked ready to win two more sets and be crowned Region III Champs. Both teams were playing point for point and Bri Eagan put FM ahead 11-10. Jefferson had an answer as they scored four straight points to lead 11-14. FM was able to cut their lead to one, but the Cannoneers scored the final six points and go on to win the title, 19-25.
"Going into regionals we struggled to get our game going, said Salvione. It wasn't until our season was on the line when playing Finger Lakes did everything finally come together. Yesterday, at semis and finals we played some of the best ball we have all season. The girls maintained focus and didn't go down without a fight. It was hard to lose in the finals and hard to see the players disappointment. We did play well, just a few things didn't go our way and then the momentum shifted and we were unable to get it back. My heart goes out to every player on this team and I couldn't be prouder! We are the runners up in region 3!"
Although the Lady Raiders season was cut short, it was a season of a lifetime. The Raiders went undefeated in Regional play, won the Mountain Valley Conference Title, were ranked #1 in the region and #6 in the nation. "I have six returners next year, this experience will help them lead another team to regionals. This is the best team I have assembled and coached and I want them to know they are all dear to my heart! These girls made a name for themselves and the future of FMCC Volleyball," said Salvione.
Brittany and Emily Orminski were both named to the Championship All-Tournament team. Jenna Putnam and Miranda Nethaway were named to the Mountain Valley Conference Team. Putnam and Rachael Salvione were named Conference player and coach of the year!
The FM community, administrators, parents and fans are all so proud of the commitment and dedication of all of the players and coaches this season. Congratulations on an amazing season!
