Photos: Cheer for Champs!
It was a perfect setting for the Voorheesville Blackbirds last Saturday evening. The regional championship was played at home, before an enthusiastic crowd, and the team was 19 and 0. The Blackbirds took on Mount Markham from Section 3 and came out victorious — an undefeated season and the team’s second championship in three years.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Looking to get an ace: Voorheesville’s Brian Hotopp gets ready to serve the ball to Mount Markham in the first set of the Blackbirds three-set-to-none; 25-15, 25-18, 25-15 victory. Hotopp had three aces and 36 assists in the game.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Coming right at ya: Voorheesville’s Spencer Sundeen spikes the ball right past Mount Markham’s Ryan Auger. Sundeen had seven kills and two blocks.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Supporting cast: Voorheesville brought out everyone, including at least 20 students in the Birdcage, bottom right, who held signs, cheering on their Blackbirds. One sign read, “If you wanted a soft serve, you should’ve gone to DQ.”
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Getting the hardware: Voorheesville captains Miles DeFranco, Braden Racey, and John Moreau hold up the plaque after their principal, Laura Schmitz, presented it to them. DeFranco had eight kills and eight digs while Racey had 14 kills and 19 digs and Moreau had five kills and one block.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Team effort: All the team members pose after the game with their coach, Adrian Michalski, and the championship plaque. Michalski and his triplet brothers, Ian and Austin, led the Blackbirds to two consecutive regional titles before graduating in 2006; he returned as a coach three years ago. The team has reached its pinnacle as there is no state championship.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Getting low: Voorheesville’s Lukas Fisher, foreground, bumps the ball from a Mount Markham serve as teammate Braden Racey watches during the first set of the Class C/D regional final last Saturday. Fisher had 18 digs.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Perfect set: Voorheesville’s Brian Hotopp sets the ball in the right spot for oncoming teammate Alex Sleasman during the second set of the Blackbirds’ three-sets-to-none; 25-15, 25-18, 25-15, victory over Mount Markham at home for the Class C/D regional championship last Saturday. Hotopp had three aces and 36 assists.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Big effort: Voorheesville’s Brian Hotopp, left, and Lukas Fisher both dive and reach out to try to get the falling ball before it hits the ground during the second set.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Happy times: Voorheesville’s high school principal, Laura Schmitz, hands the three Voorheesville volleyball captains — Miles DeFranco, John Moreau, and Braden Racey — the Regional Championship plaque after the Blackbirds won three-sets-to-none over Mount Markham.