NYS VOLLEYBALL: CANDOR RALLIES PAST ELLICOTTVILLE TO WIN POOL (17 PHOTOS) (2024-11-22)
By TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
GLENS FALLS — Candor dropped the opening set, but came back to win the next two and defeat Ellicottville and win pool play at the 2024 NYSPHSAA Class D Girls Volleyball Championships here Friday.
The Eagles took the first game, 25-19, scoring the final seven points. The Coyotes built a six-point lead late in the second set and went on to win, 25-20. With pool play switching to a best-of-three format this season, Candor grabbed the lead and held off the Eagles, 15-12.
The two teams meet again Saturday at 4 p.m. for a best-of-five match to determine the state champ.
Looking back on the three matches, Candor coach Pam Quinlan saw some areas of concern at times.
“I think we kind of struggled a little bit early on in a few games with some passing and just getting the ball to our hitters, and a little bit defensively, just adjusting to what another team was doing,” she said. “In that last match, I saw some real good chemistry on the team, and just moving well together and just doing a lot of good things.”
Key players like Makie, Soper, Stouffer and Swartz stepped up when needed, but Quinlan was also impressed with her reserve players.
“Early on in the day, we had some subs go in to serve and do some passing, and I think they helped us out,” she said. “Even later on, I think with serving and with defense, and maybe just getting some fresh legs out there and being able to move a little bit. I thought all the subs that went in today did a great job and got some quality touches on the ball, and gave us some quality play while they were in there.”
Against Ellicottville, the Coyotes jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first set, capped by an Emmi Makie ace, then built a 9-5 advantage following Kate Stouffer and Makie hits off back row defenders, and a hitting error by the Eagles.
Malley Heidl drilled a nicely-placed shot in to the back corner for a 10-7 lead, but Ellicottville reeled off four straight points to go in front, 11-10.
Following a side out to tie the score, Stouffer served up an ace for a 12-11 edge, but the Eagles bounced back from a 13-11 deficit to take a 16-15 lead.
The score was tied at 16, 17, 18 and 19, then two big kills shots by Ellicottville’s Riley Whitmer couple with the serving of Faith Burlingame finished the set to hand Candor its first setback of the day.
Hits by Stouffer and Soper gave the Coyotes a 3-0 lead in game two and they never trailed although the Eagles would trim the margin to 4-3 and 15-14. Meanwhile, Candor put together a pair of four-point runs to build 9-4 and 21-15 advantages.
That forced a third set, this one to 15, and Stouffer got things going with a pair of aces. Two hots out of bounds would knot the score, but Candor would work a 9-6 lead, capped by a Swartz ace which brought an Ellicottville timeout.
Swartz followed that up with back-to-back aces, but three hitting errors by the Coyotes and a block by the Eagles’ Natalee Leiper closed the gap to 11-10. This time, Candor called a timeout, then the teams traded sideouts before a Candor miscue made it 12-11.
Stouffer would tap one over the front row for a sideout and follow with a shot off an Eagle defender for a 14-11 lead to help secure the victory.
Coming back to win the second and third sets against Ellicottville could play in Candor’s favor.
“I think that just kind of sets a tone,” Quinlan said. “I think maybe the other team is probably looking at it. They'll come in tomorrow and kind of want some redemption, but I think going in knowing that you can beat the team that you're playing, and that you can be behind against that team and come back and that you can get a lead and maintain it, I think we did a lot of good things in that match to set us up for a good match tomorrow.”
For the day, Swartz dished out 49 assists to go with 26 points, including five aces, 19 digs and six kills; and Soper recorded 41 kills, 11 digs and eight points. Stouffer contributed 26 points (6 aces), 15 kills and 12 digs; and Makie pitched in with 25 points (7 aces), 18 kills and 10 digs.
Teribury served up 19 points and added nine digs; Heidl had nine points and handed out seven assists; Ryleigh Bowman chipped in with four points; and McCracken tacked on a trio of kills.
Getting motivated for the rematch with Ellicottville should not be a problem, according to Quinlan.
“I think they're pretty motivated,” she said. “I think knowing that we're going onis a motivation. We have some fans coming up, some more fans that'll be here tomorrow, so I think they're excited about that. I don't think I'll have to say too much. I think they'll be able to bring their own energy.”
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PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.
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