True, the Baldwinsville boys volleyball team trailed by two sets to defending Section III Class AA champion Oswego on Wednesday night, but that was just the first part.
It was the Bees writing the second part of the story, rallying to beat the Buccaneers in five sets and claim a match that only adds to the suspense about the race for 2012 title honors.
Even in front of the home fans at the Baker High School gym, B’ville could not bring down Oswego in the opening set, nor could it do so in a close second set that saw both sides get chances to prevail before the Bucs claimed it 26-24.
But it all turned in the third set. Oswego was just two points from a sweep, but B’ville fought out of it, sparked by a spectacular dig from Zach Leo, claimed the serve at 24-24 and pulled out the set 26-24.
From that point forward, it was a different match. Gaining confidence, the Bees rolled through the fourth set 25-15, and in the final set never let the Bucs get close, prevailing 25-18 to take the match.
Chris Drain worked through the match in a fierce battle with Oswego setter Josh Carney. Though Carney ended up with 56 assists, Drain, with his 53 assists, got the ball to a deep and talented group of front-line players.
Shawn Calnan led with 22 kills and three blocks, while Kevin Drain had six blocks to go with his 14 kills. Grady Schmidt and Tom Ancilotti each picked up eight kills, with Anthony DeMarco producing seven kills. Tyler Weber earned 15 digs. On the Bucs’ front line, Dylan Lavner had 20 kills, while Tom Dillon and Zach Gillard put up 15 kills apiece.
