DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
UNIONDALE – It may seem like routine, especially for those who weren’t alive and part of the program when the streak started, but there was still a lot of work to do Saturday night for the Bellmont Braves to claim a 19th consecutive sectional.
Facing the host Norwell Knights with a chance to win the school’s 40th volleyball sectional, the Braves wasted no time, pulling off their second 25-3 set win of the tournament in the opening set and sweeping their NE8 rivals to raise the trophy once again, 25-3, 25-13, 25-10.
Unwilling to immediately begin discussing the next opponent, coach Craig Krull urged his team to let the moment soak in and not lose sight of the accomplishment Saturday night.
The Braves certainly showed that they were ready Saturday, playing crisply in the early going to build a lead and then having fun and enjoying the moment when the result was already assured.
In 33 losses this season, the Braves have lost just eight sets, with six of those coming in the team’s two losses to Hamilton Southeastern and Angola.
Plenty of Bellmont volleyball fans showed up for the match despite the prospect of a short match and many more trickled in after the girls soccer team finished its season on the other side of campus. The crowd is likely to be much larger when the Braves meet Angola in the rematch. That 10 a.m. regional semifinal will also be at Norwell and will be broadcast live on WZBD.
Coach Krull used his entire bench and rotated through everyone and allowing each healthy player to have their moment in the contest. He also made it through the week’s tournament without sustaining an injury, something crucial for claiming a regional title next week.
Delaney Lawson had her best match of the sectional in the final, accumulating 16 kills.
MaryKate Scheumann continues to grow as a defensive player and she added 12 digs to her ten kills.
Libero Sami Christen led the team in digs with 13.
Senior Hailey Cole had three solo blocks against the Norwell attack, adding to her statline of five kills, 31 assists and eight digs.
Jackie Sutter was ruthless with her serve, picking up four aces.