Local Sports

Fredonia dominates Salamanca in B2 quarters

FREDONIA -- Locked in a battle in the first set, tied 20-20, Fredonia volleyball head coach Amanda Krakowiak called a timeout to reset her team's focus.

Krakowiak knows her girls well, and she saw an opportunity to not only claim the first set, but to also springboard forward into the sets that followed. All the 'Billies needed to do was be aggressive.

That message was heard loud and clear.

Fredonia scored five of the next six points to claim the first set, then throttled Salamanca in the set that followed, 25-3. The 'Billies finished off a three-set sweep of the visiting Warriors, 25-21, 25-3, and 25-15 in a Section VI Class B2 quarterfinal playoff game on Wednesday at Fredonia High School.

"Our coach really emphasized being aggressive and dominating (Salamanca). We have three 'Ds' -- dominate, devastate and destroy -- that we like to say before every match," said Fredonia senior Londyn Wilmot. "That definitely helped us get ready."

Salamanca (9-8, 10-seed) came out strong with the game's first three points. Ten points in, it was split evenly 5-5.

"Salamanca came in and fought hard. They did a great job," Krakowiak said. "They represented well."

Fredonia (11-5, 2-seed) built itself a five-point lead, 12-7, with four straight points to prompt a Salamanca timeout. Alyse Bugaj aced the serve coming out of the break for a six-point advantage, but things tightened up quickly from there. Salamanca scored eight of the next 11 points to pull within one, 16-15.

"We were playing scrappy. We were getting up there on the block, and I think it was throwing them off a little bit," Salamanca head coach Courtney Valent said.

Fredonia built its lead back up to four, but the Warriors scored four consecutive points to even the score at 20-all and trigger a Fredonia timeout.

"Yes, I was a little bit nervous, but I have complete confidence in my girls," Krakowiak said. "I was just trying to continue to encourage them."

From that point on, Fredonia's aggression took over the match. The 'Billies attacked the net throughout the contest. Whether it was pressuring Salamanca's attempts at the net, holding strong on serve, or violent kills from Wilmot, the 'Billies saw the opportunity in front of them and they attacked it.

Fredonia jumped ahead by a dozen in the second set before Salamanca even registered a point. By the time the Warriors called their second timeout of the set, they trailed 21-2. Fredonia came out of that break and won another point at the net for good measure. The 'Billies also finished with the final three points of the second set and a commanding 2-0 lead.

"The second set definitely helped us with a boost of morale," Wilmot said. "Beating them 25-3 definitely got us all hyped up and ready for our next couple matches. We know we have a hard couple of games coming up, so we're definitely getting ready."

The third set was much more competitive at the onset, with the two teams splitting the first six, 12, and 16 points evenly. From the 8-8 deadlock, however, Fredonia established its dominance again with five consecutive points. After that, the 'Billies led by at least three points the rest of the way. They put the finishing touches on a 10-point victory in the third set to complete the sweep.

Wilmot said "it really does feel great" to go on a run like the team did in the second set. She said it was a sign that all of the hard work the team put in all season has paid off.

Valent said after playing Fredonia twice in tournaments this season, Wednesday was clearly the best the 'Billies have looked.

"I felt like they came out way stronger tonight," Valent said. "I think they played great."

Fredonia was led by Wilmot's 15 kills. She accounted for nearly half of the team's 32 kills on Wednesday. Jordan Morris added 7 kills, while Elly Saunders had 6 kills of her own.

Alyse Bugaj had 29 assists to facilitate the Fredonia offense. Defensively, the 'Billies tallied 31 digs, led by seven from Bella Buckley, six from Bugaj, and five from libero Sophia Pagan, who also led the team with five aces. Wilmot had three aces, as well.

Now, Fredonia's focus is on playing its own game with hopes of another sectional title, just like the 'Billies claimed in 2024.

"I just want that win so bad," Wilmot said, eyeing another sectional championship after earning the honor as a sophomore. "We've been getting ready for this, and I'm really hoping for a good Sectional run this year."

Up next, Fredonia advances to the Class B semifinals on Monday night. They will play Springville, the 6-seed, at 6 p.m. at Fredonia High School.