Niagara Wheatfield varsity teams battle in tight games

By Madeline Dorobiala

VOLLEYBALL

The Niagara Wheatfield girls varsity volleyball team met the North Tonawanda Lumberjacks at home Sept. 22. Here’s what went down:

Niagara Wheatfield started the first set, but the ball quickly went out of bounds. Shaking it off, they put together a successful rally and kill and took the lead 3-1. When the score became tight, the Lumberjacks attempted to fight back but were unsuccessful. The Falcons continued to focus on their lead. The Lumberjacks eventually took a one-point lead, 7-6, with a kill. Throughout the remainder of the first set, both teams either trailed or led by a point. The Falcons broke away toward the end of the set with a series of kills rattling the Lumberjacks’ defense. The Wheatfield team continued communicating as they made rallies and defended their side. The Falcons won the first set 25-18.

They continued their momentum in the second set. With a kill, the Falcons tied with the Lumberjacks 1-1. The Lumberjacks, thinking the ball was out of play, scrambled to compose themselves, which led to the Falcons making a kill and taking the 4-2 lead. The Falcons’ defensive wall stood strong against the opposing offense and continued to lead. Organizing rally development, the Wheatfield team continued to kill, 11-4. The Lumberjacks continued to test the Falcons’ defense. The scoreboard was tight, but the Falcons continued to lead and won the second set 25-20.

The Falcons started the third set strong with the first point on the board. They worked together to defend against the hungry Lumberjacks. With the team coming back to life, the Lumberjacks made a series of kills, taking the 5-2 lead. The Falcons took their time setting up rallies and made a kill, still behind 6-3. While continuing momentum with kills, the Lumberjacks disrupted the Falcons with a tip-over. The Wheatfield team came together and tied the game 10-10. The Lumberjacks were quick to bounce back and test the Falcons’ defense and took a 3-point lead. The Falcons continued putting points on the board and slowly bounced back. They continued to trail behind despite their kills, 20-19. The Lumberjacks started running away with the board and won the set 22-20.

The Falcons started the fourth set strong with a kill. They continued with a tap over and led by 2 points. The Lumberjacks started a small comeback, 4-3. Wheatfield’s defense dove; the offense killed. The kills continued and the Falcons were still behind 10-8. The Falcons’ offense tied the game in the middle of the set 10-10. With two sets won under their belt, Wheatfield rallied ahead 12-11. Both teams made a series of kills, creating a 1-point difference as the set progressed. The Falcons were ahead 24-22 at the end of the set. The game became tight when the Lumberjacks made their serve. With the serve going out of bounds, the Falcons won the set 25-23, winning the game.

Standout players

•This season is Kendra Rogers’ third year with the varsity team, and she has been its starting outside hitter since her freshman year.

•Makayla Stewart, a transfer from St. Mary’s, is a junior. Head coach Laura Crooks said Stewart is an absolute standout outside hitter.

•Senior Nina Scirri has made a comeback this season, as well.

“As long as we can get them the ball, we are very successful,” Crooks said before the game.

The Niagara Wheatfield varsity soccer team warms up before a game.

••••••••

BOYS SOCCER

The Niagara Wheatfield boys varsity soccer team met the Grand Island Vikings at home Sept. 24. Here’s what went down:

The first half opened with the Vikings taking possession and running up midfield with the Falcons on their back. The Wheatfield team stole the ball, attempting to bring it back into the Vikings’ zone, but was locked out. The first half remained scoreless as both teams tried to break through the opposing defense. The Vikings took advantage after the Falcons tripped their opponent. The Falcons stole the ball and kicked it deep into the Vikings’ zone, where their goalie made a save. The Vikings retaliated, bringing the ball into the Falcons zone, where Wheatfield’s goalie also made a save. Toward the middle of the half, the Falcons were first to have a shot on goal. The Vikings, eager to turn things around, brought the ball into their opponents’ zone, but the Falcons’ defense was quick to stop their advances. The Falcons spent the remainder of the first half in the Vikings’ zone. The first half remained scoreless.

The second half was when the Falcons turned up the gas with another shot on goal. After a brief steal from the Vikings, the Wheatfield team found a hole in the Vikings’ defense and made it into their zone. The Vikings gave the Falcons a shove and received a yellow card as a result. In response, the Falcons had another shot on goal. The beginning of the second half remained scoreless. With an attempt to develop a play, the Falcons went offsides. Eager to put a point on the board, the Vikings stormed into the Falcons’ zone with a shot on goal. The Vikings paused briefly to swap out their goalie due to a potential injury, and the game resumed. After a couple of plays, the Grand Island goalie returned. The Falcons stayed in the Vikings’ zone, where they head-bunted the ball into the net. They were the first to add a point to the board. With three minutes remaining in the second half, the Vikings retaliated and scored, tying the game.

Overtime opened with a steal from the Vikings and was blocked by the Falcons’ defense. The Falcons gained possession and developed a play. Taking their time with their passes, they scored and won the game 2-1.

Standout players

•The Falcons’ varsity team graduated about 10 of its seniors last year, and former head coach of 20 years, John Coulter, retired, new head coach Melanie Proefrock said. As a result, they are adjusting to a new dynamic while using some of their old culture.

•Captain and sophomore Zeke Cline scored the Falcons’ first goal in the first half.

•Senior Ismael Alexis scored the game-winning goal in overtime.

•Freshman Colton Becker assisted with both goals.