CROFT RECORDS HER 1,000TH CAREER SETTER ASSIST
BY TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports ReportWINDSOR — Sixth-seed Waverly swept second-seed Trumansburg in its opening match, then pulled out a win in its final set against Thomas A. Edison to lock up a berth in Saturday’s Section IV, Class C volleyball championship at Corning High School.
The Lady Wolverines, who finished the Class C semi-final pool play with a 3-3 record here at Windsor High School Tuesday night, will face top-seed Windsor, who posted a 5-1 mark, with hopes of repeating as Class C champion.
“I’m excited to get back (to the Class C finals) and have a chance to defend our title,” said Waverly coach Kesha Sinsabaugh.
Sinsabaugh believes this team has exceeded the expectations of many people.
“I knew it was going to be tough to get back to the (Class C) finals, especially with Windsor dropping down (from Class B),” said Sinsabaugh. “We added some STAC teams to our schedule, and we knew that might make it tougher, but playing those teams helped us in the long run.
“We lost four starters from last year, but I knew we had a lot skill returning, and we brought up a couple (players),” she said. “I probably had more belief in us than most people. I know what their expectations are, and I know what their skill levels are.”
Waverly, which advanced to the semifinals with a sweep of third-seed Lansing on Tuesday, opened pool play by beating Trumansburg by scores of 25-22 and 25-21.
Sinsabaugh said her team knew it needed to sweep Trumansburg.
“Winning the first game was huge because it changed the momentum for the second game,” Sinsabaugh said. “Turning around and winning the second game was big, too.
“The first two games were must-win. With Windsor coming up next, we knew we needed two wins against Trumansburg,” she added.
Windsor dominated Waverly with wins of 25-15 and 25-12.
“Windsor is a strong team, but we didn’t play that well,” said Sinsabaugh.
Waverly needed one win its two-game set with Edison to clinch second place in pool play and advance to the title match.
As usual, for Waverly nothing is easy against Edison.
The Lady Spartans won the first set 25-20, but the Lady Wolverines answered with a 25-19 win.
“We did not show up in the first game,” said Sinsabaugh.
“We played terrible the first 15 points of the first game — couldn’t hit, couldn’t serve, couldn’t really do anything,” she noted. “It’s a typical game with Edison, it’s kind of annoying.
“We played much better in the second game,” added Sinsabaugh.
Senior Chloe Croft, who recorded her 1,000th career assist during the Windsor match, led the Lady Wolverines with 17 service points, 35 setter assists, and 22 digs.
“It’s quite an accomplishment,” said Sinsabaugh. “She deserves it, and I’m very happy for her.”
Senior Adrianah Clinton had nine points, seven kills, and 19 digs for the Lady Wolverines, while senior Morgan Adams had nine points, 10 digs, and one block, and sophomore Sidney Tomasso added eight points and one block.
Senior Paige Lewis had 15 kills, seven blocks, and 14 digs for Waverly, while junior Maddy Goodwin recorded 11 kills and 20 digs, and sophomore Aryan Peters added 17 digs.
Waverly will square off with Windsor for the Class C title Saturday at 2 p.m. at Corning High School.
“Windsor is very good,” said Sinsabaugh. “It will definitely be an uphill struggle, but if we show and bring our best, maybe we can hang with them, and come out on top.”
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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly’s Chloe Croft. … PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
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