The 2002 Spencerport Volleyball Team had another record-breaking season. They were the Monroe County Division II Champions, for the second year in a row, secured the school record for best winning percentage (21-2), were the number one seed in the Class A Sectionals and a Section V Finalist. Also, their coach Michael Zeman, was chosen the Section V Tournament Class A Coach of the Year. Shown (left to right, first row): Brian Conlon, James Chechak, Matt Larson, Jake Butler, Brandon Waas, Jon Baker; (second row): Jonathon VanScoter, Dan Roth, Jason Chandler, Andrew Zguta, Joe Roth, Jerry Pucillo, Erik Bellinger, Jeff Frisch and Michael Zeman.

Palumbo MVP as Saints win title

Rangers Zeman
Coach of the Year

The Churchville-Chili Saints boy’s volleyball team didn’t make it easy on themselves - but then sectional titles aren’t supposed to come easy. Eric Palumbo knocked down 21 kills and Chris Shekell dished out 28 assists as the Saints defeated Spencerport (November 6) 30-28, 25-18, 19-25 and 25-13 to win the Class A Championship.

The Rangers led throughout most of the first game by as many as six points and 24-23 before the Saints tied the game 24-24. Both teams traded points before the Saints could put two back-to-back for the overtime win. In the second game, Spencerport again led 17-15, but C-C roared back winning ten of the final eleven points.

The Rangers only win came in the third game as they spread the offense around. Joe Roth, Brandon Waas, Dan Roth and Andrew Zguta all registered kills in the game to tighten the Saints lead at 2-1. But Churchville-Chili put the match away in the fourth game leading at one point 20-9 and took a late 24-10 lead behind a block and a kill on consecutive points by Brian Rebman, who finished with 11 kills in the match.

"The game story was their serving and our passing," said Spencerport head coach Mike Zeman. "We weren’t passing well so we couldn’t run the middle and became predictable on offense and they knew who to hit it to over our blocks."

"This is what we really wanted all year," said Palumbo who was named the Most Valuable Player. "It was a little sweeter coming against Spencerport who beat us last year in the title game - we’re both young teams, so I’m sure we’ll meet again here next year." Saints head coach Joe Eschberger said, "We played extraordinary defense. It was typical for us this year to fall behind early in the games and then come back. It seems we like to wait for a few points before we get started."

Senior setter Jake Butler handed out 42 assists to pace Spencerport and was named to the All-Tournament team along with teammate Brandon Waas who had 10 kills. Zguta led the Rangers with 13 kills while Jason Chandler had nine and Dan Roth added eight to go with his team-leading 7 blocks in his final varsity game. Joining MVP Palumbo on the All-Tournament team for the Saints was Rebman and Shekell.

After the game, Rangers head coach Zeman was named the Coach of the Year in Class A in just his second season. "This is special because it’s from the other coaches in the league," said Zeman. "Even after losing the league MVP last year in Justin Waas, this team came together and showed resiliency in clutch situations winning 18 straight matches after we lost to Churchville early in the regular season."