Local Sports

‘It’s just amazing’

Fredonia tops Jamestown in Pink Out Block Out cancer benefit

FREDONIA -- Two volleyball teams took the Fredonia High School court on Tuesday night, but the result on the scoreboard was secondary, because the impact of the contest will be felt outside of the gym's walls much more than it will be reflected in the standings.

Fredonia welcomed Jamestown for a Pink Out Block Out cancer benefit volleyball match to raise awareness for cancer and collect donations to support Roswell Park Cancer Center. When it was all said and done, Fredonia came out on top of the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 1 match, 25-17, 25-17, 20-25 and 25-18.

The idea for a cancer benefit match started with the Fredonia players and their parents. The program did a similar event a few years ago, but this year's senior-led team pushed to make an impact again this season. With help from their families, the 'Billies reached out to community members and put together a meaningful event for the junior varsity and varsity teams of Fredonia and Jamestown to enjoy.

"It's just amazing to see the community come together to support a great cause," said Fredonia head coach Amanda Krakowiak. "For our girls to be a part of that, it's just wonderful."

Jamestown was more than happy to participate, as the program's junior varsity coach, Sara Joly, is a breast cancer survivor.

"These benefits mean a little bit more to us because of that," Jamestown head coach Ryan Smith said. "It gives each of those girls a little bit of a connection to the issues that we're facing."

The community came out to support both teams, especially on Fredonia's side with most of the home bleachers filled with fans in pink attire. The night featured a bake sale and a basket raffle, with food provided by local vendors. Various community businesses and organizations served as sponsors for the contest.

The fans were treated to quite a show. Including a long rally on the game's opening point, Fredonia (7-4, 7-2) registered the first three points. From there, the set was highly competitive throughout, but the 'Billies never surrendered the lead. Londyn Wilmot had several strong kills during the opening set.

Jamestown (5-4, 4-4) pulled to within a point twice in the opening set, at 16-15 and at 17-16, but Fredonia finished with eight of the last nine points to win the set, 25-17.

Fredonia won the second set by the same score, although both teams held a share of the lead in the early stages. Fredonia led 12-9 halfway through the set, but pulled away for a 25-17 victory and a commanding 2-0 lead.

The first 16 points were split evenly in the third set until a spectacular dig by Fredonia libero Sophia Pagan sparked three straight points for the 'Billies. Jamestown answered with the next two, but a strong block put Fredonia back up by a pair, 12-10.

Jamestown then scored the next five points to claim a 15-12 lead, prompting a Fredonia timeout. With the next three points out of the timeout also going Jamestown's way, the visitors led 18-12 in the third set before Fredonia broke an 8-0 run. While the 'Billies stopped the run, the momentum stayed in Jamestown's favor with three consecutive points, marking an 11-1 run to lead 21-13. Fredonia made things close from there, but the Red and Green took the third set, 25-20.

"Our biggest concern tonight was to keep our attitudes positive," Smith said. "... The success we had was due to the fact that everybody kept a really positive attitude, no matter what happened."

The fourth set was tight early, with Fredonia leading 9-8 through the first 17 points. From there, however, Fredonia scored seven of the next eight points for a 16-9 advantage.

Jamestown answered with three straight to pull to within four points, but Fredonia scored three straight of its own to pull back ahead by seven, 19-12. The next eight points were split evenly, putting Fredonia just two points from a victory. The 'Billies eventually finished off the game, 25-18, and the match, three sets to one.

"Any time a game is that close and fairly evenly matched, it's just a lot of fun to be a part of it," said Smith. "I think both teams worked real hard. Fredonia has got a really quality program. We weren't able to win the games we needed to tonight, but we hung in there the whole time. We're happy for that."

Krakowiak said Fredonia's endurance was the difference in the contest, as Jamestown put up a strong performance defensively, leading to long rallies. The 'Billies were tested throughout, but the team's focus all season long on outlasting its opponents proved to be the difference on Tuesday.

"We were very fortunate to be on the plus side of a lot of those long rallies. Those moments are key to getting that next point and building that momentum moving forward," Krakowiak said.

Londyn Wilmot led Fredonia with 18 kills, along with 14 digs, tied for the team high.

"Londyn is a great leader on the team. She communicates well, and she is a good team player too," Krakowiak said. "She's calling for the ball, looking for the ball to be aggressive and take action, but also knows when it's appropriate to set up her teammates too in certain situations."

Alyse Bugaj racked up 31 assists and tied Wilmot with 14 digs. Sophia Pagan added 12 digs, while Jordan Morris had eight kills and Maddie Krakowiak had seven kills and six digs. As a team, Fredonia tallied 39 kills and 68 digs, along with 11 aces.

"The girls collectively play really well together as a team. That really is where our success comes from. We work together to achieve our common goal," Krakowiak said.

Up next, Fredonia hosts Chautauqua Lake on Friday, then travels to Falconer next Tuesday. Jamestown travels to Dunkirk on Thursday.