Shamrocks, Raiders volleyball squads close in on end of regular season

By Andy Gardner

Massena and Salmon River volleyball are approaching the end of the 2018 regular season after a week where the Shamrocks improved their record and the Raiders suffered their first loss of the year.

The week of Oct. 15 opened with Massena downing Franklin Academy at home in three straight sets, 25-1, 25-17 and 25-6. In the first set, Maria Sbaffo served up 22 consecutive points. Anna Thompson tallied nine service points. Gabrielle Durant logged 10 kills. Setters Ieronhenehtha Lazore, Teres Jacobs and Sophia Mitchell all had "great defensive plays," according to Coach Maggie Farrell, along with a combined 18 assists for the night.

The next evening, Salmon River did what few teams in recent years have been able to accomplish and upset Massena 3-2, by scores of 21-25, 29-27, 26-24, 22-25 and 23-25.

"Salmon played very well, overall it was a great night of volleyball!" Coach Farrell said in an email.

The Raiders quickly bounced back from their Tuesday defeat and bested the Chateaugay Bulldogs in three straight sets 25-19, 25-18 and 25-18 on the road two nights later. Maria Sbaffo (five kills) and Gabrielle Durant (10 kills) had "strong offensive nights," Farrell said. Ariana Kirkey had what Coach called "a strong defensive night" with seven digs. Sophia Mitchell and Ieronhenehtha Lazore had a combined 17 assists.

On Friday, Oct. 19, the Shamrocks breezed past Malone in three sets at home, 25-18, 25-15 and 25-21. Kendall Jock served eight points with two kills. Jazzy Dunn (20 sets, two assists) and Ava Adams (one ace) each tallied seven service points. Mary Gray had six points, 17 sets and three assists. Kylee Smoke had four kills, 15 sets and two assists. Rylie Gray had seven kills and a block.