Make that three wins in a row, and five out of the last six.
The Saint Ignatius varsity volleyball team fired past the St. Edward Eagles in Lakewood on Tuesday, 25-10, 25-18, and 25-12. In doing so, the Wildcats completed the regular season sweep.
The Wildcats eased past the Eagles in the rivalry matchup. The second set was the closest, but even then, the outcome never seemed to be in doubt. Across the three sets, the Wildcats won, 75-40, nearly doubling up the Eagles.
The Wildcats also received other happy news on Tuesday, in the form of several All-Region honors.
Phil Catanzaro and Andrew Boeckman led the way in the OHSBVA All-North Region honors. The senior and sophomore earned first-team recognition for incredible seasons. Boeckman entered Tuesday as the team's kills leader with 192, adding 95 digs, 16 aces, and 17 blocks. Catanzaro is nipping at Boeckman's heels with 174 kills, supplementing his stats with 81 digs, 32 aces, and 23 blocks.
Eric Larsen and Matthew Rogers garnered second-team All-Region honors. Both seniors have played instrumental roles this season, stepping up in big ways. Larsen is the team's leader in blocks with 30, also tabbing 57 kills. Rogers has done an extraordinary job as a defensive specialist and libero, tallying a team-topping 147 digs, along with 13 aces.
Teddy Koncelik and Vince Holzheimer rounded out the Wildcats' All-Region honorees, receiving recognition as honorable mentions. Koncelik has supplemented the team's offense with 74 kills and on defense with 58 digs and 14 blocks. Holzheimer has filled the role of setter admirably, notching a remarkable 544 assists. Holzheimer has also contributed on the front line with 22 kills and 17 blocks, as well as on the back line with 85 digs.
The Wildcats close out the regular season on Friday, hosting Walsh Jesuit for a 7:15 pm matchup.
The postseason begins on Wednesday, May 22. The Wildcats, to No. 1 seed in the North Region, will host No. 8 St. Edward for a 6:30 pm showdown in the Regional Semifinal. Should the Wildcats win, the men of Jacob Layden would advance to the Regional Final on Saturday, May 25. The winner of Stow-Munroe Falls vs. Medina awaits the Wildcats or Eagles on May 25 at 12:30 pm at Massillon Jackson High School.
JV win streak reaches 15
The JV Volleyball Cats have been nearly unstoppable this season. The JV Eagles did test the Wildcats on Tuesday, but Saint Ignatius emerged with the win.
The Wildcats tallied a 25-12 win in the first set before struggling some in the second set. But the JV Cats proved resilient, working for a 27-25 conquest.
Anne Kent's squad now stands at 16-1 on the year entering the regular season finale on Friday vs. Walsh Jesuit at 6 pm. The JV Cats will then play in the JV Year-End Tournament at Jackson on Saturday.