By Warren Kozireski
Spencerport’s boys volleyball program has won 16 Section V championships, including the last six in a row. But that is not the goal. After finishing runner-up in the state championships three times in the past ten years, nothing short of a state championship will suffice.
“Pretty much the whole team plays year-round…so we’re getting better the whole year,” senior Joe Michalski said about the team’s sustained success.
“This year we’re really putting an emphasis on trying to get the (younger players) in the line-up more regularly because we have a lot of players graduating and they can be ready to go next year.”
“We all love the sport, and everyone plays (together) since modified, and coaches help us stick with it; we’re always working hard, and it will always stay the same if we stay like this,” senior Connor Galloway said.
“There are always goals; one goal is making sure we get everyone on the court, making sure we put down the teams that we need to put down and always playing hard.”
Ranked number one in the Class B New York State Sportswriters Association October 6 poll and atop the Section V Class B1 standings with a 13-0-0 record, the Rangers are relying on their seniors to carry the load but, as Michalski noted, are getting contributions from the entire roster.
“It’s the kids that keep it moving; their dedication to keep growing every year and they want to keep the tradition going,” Spencerport head coach Aaron Austin said. “The legacy is on the next set of seniors to keep pushing it forward.
“I would say this is the easiest it ever has been; it’s the best group since 2020, I would say. They’re the nicest kids; they want to be here and work hard; their commitment is unmatched; they always are trying to get better and practice and work out together after practice. Their striving for excellence is just amazing.”
Galloway leads the team with 127 kills, 38 aces, and 71 digs. Setter Michalski has handed out 330 assists and is tied for second on the squad with 15 blocks and third with 71 digs.
Classmate Eli Schuyler added 68 kills with ten blocks, Nate Long registered 84 kills, and Jerrieus Morgan chipped in 11 digs.
The nine-member junior class is led by Brad Judge, who stands second on the team with 110 kills; Jack Kelley (54 kills) and Dominic Caruso, who led with 24 blocks while adding 51 kills. Jabin Southard and Tiernan Pettit combined for 81 kills.
Both sophomores see regular minutes, with Matt Heuber second in digs (91) and third with 21 aces. Sophomore Mason Endres led the team with 129 digs and was second with 31 aces.
The Rangers’ final regular season match will be against the Class A top-seeded Penfield Patriots as a measuring-stick contest. The first round of the Section V playoffs begins November 2-3, with the finals November 10 at Finger Lakes Community College.
The good news is the Rangers will not have to travel far should they win their seventh consecutive sectional championship. This year the state semi-finals and finals will be hosted by Roberts Wesleyan University November 21-22.
“Since it’s my senior year, I’m really trying to push myself, and the ultimate goal is to win states, so I’m trying to work hard to reach that goal,” Michalski said.
