Lakes, Antioch volley for a cure

Lakes' pink T-shirts slightly shaded Antioch's pink T's, just as the Eagles' play on the court slightly shaded that of the host Sequoits.

But the hues and for that matter final score mattered little.

“No losers tonight, Antioch coach Glen Heitman said, as a near-capacity crowd exited the Sequoits' gym that was overflowing with pink worn by players of all high school levels and fans.

On a night when the energy couldn't have been better, the same could be said about the competition. Lakes, wearing dark pink T-shirts as opposed to Antioch's light pink ones, won the fourth annual “Volley for the Cure match between the crosstown rivals 26-24, 24-26, 27-25.

Before Thursday's match, both coaches agreed that, unlike in previous years, three sets would be played, regardless of the results of the first two.

And, officially, the competition was recorded as a nonconference match, thus assuring every player from each side got the chance to play and play a lot.

“That's why we put this game after the regional seedings (which took place Wednesday), so that it would have no effect on anything, Heitman said. “We wanted just a fun night.

Everyone in the gym got just that.

“I got a headache (from screaming), said a wiped-out Jessie Richter, a starting outside hitter for Lakes. “It was a lot of screaming and really intense game. It was so much fun to play them.

After two thrilling opening sets, non-starters took the court and played the decisive third.

The intensity never dropped.

Lakes fought back from a 23-17 deficit by scoring 7 straight points. After a kill by Antioch's Sarah Gagnon, Lakes' Dana Ollendick snapped a 25-25 tie with a kill. The Eagles then won it on an Antioch error.

“It was very exciting, Richter said. “We were a little nervous, but (the reserves) pulled through. They were awesome. They did so good.

Ollendick had a huge third set for Lakes.

“She really came through and concentrated on her serve, especially with all the noise, Lakes coach Molly May said. “And then in the front row, she was awesome.

Heitman said the event raised around $9,000 and called it the “puppy of former Lakes coach Carla Thompson, who originally approached him about playing the match. Thompson organized this year's match along with Antioch sophomore coach Jamie Atkinson.

“The best thing was, everyone got to play, on both teams, from freshman (level) to varsity, May said. “All the games were close, so it just shows how close we are in level of play.

While Antioch fell to 10-12, Lakes improved to 7-13.

“Our record doesn't give us justice, May said. “We'll take a win.

Brianna Grant and Sarah Colette each had 4 kills for Antioch, while Jessica Ploss hammered three. Amber Dalgaard recorded 18 digs, and Haley Horn served 3 aces for the Sequoits.

“The fans got a good show, Heitman said. “The last game, you couldn't ask for more.