As the Wildcats' spring sports teams braved cold and rainy weather on Saturday, the Saint Ignatius volleyball team enjoyed the warmth of the gym at Hiram College.
The Volleyball Cats drove 45 minutes southwest for the Spykes for Tykes Tournament at Hiram, featuring some of the best teams from Ohio and elsewhere. The trip was a successful one, as the Wildcats won each of their three matches to claim the tourney crown.
With the trio of victories, the Wildcats stand at 7-1 on the year entering tomorrow's home game vs. Massillon Jackson.
The only stumbling block for the Volleyball Cats on Saturday came in the very first set of the first match.
Facing Trinity High School, located in Louisville, Kentucky, the Wildcats faced a challenge. Trinity built an 11-6 to start out the contest, forcing the Cats to make a number of errors. Following a timeout, the Wildcats battled back, but Trinity continued to hold onto a lead, 17-13.
Then, adversity struck, as Vince Holzheimer had to fill in as setter for Aidan McCaffrey. Holzheimer, typically a libero, adjusted to the role well, but Trinity captured 8 of the next 11 points to win the set, 25-16.
In the best-of-three match, the Wildcats fought well with their backs against the wall. Holzheimer tabbed 15 assists, Quinn Flanagan converted 4-of-5 kill attempts, and Andrew Boeckman recorded 5 digs in a critical 25-22 win in set 2. The set was incredibly close, as neither team led by more than two until Trinity committed a spike error on the final play, giving the Cats the 3-point win.
The Wildcats dominated the front line in the third set. The squad notched 11 kills to Trinity's three kills, along with 4 blocks to Trinity's zero. Phil Catanzaro notched 5 big kills, stemming the tide at several points. Matthew Rogers contributed 8 digs that also helped greatly. The Cats tore off leads of 5-1 and 16-4, never looking back in a 25-14 triumph to complete the 2-1 comeback over Trinity.
The second match against Gahanna Lincoln was slightly easier for the Volleyball Cats. The men of Jacob Layden frolicked to a 25-13 win in the first set, as Catanzaro and Flanagan combined for 6 kills. Gahanna Lincoln's 10 errors hurt, as the Clevelanders mounted a 16-7 lead that catapulted the Cats to victory.
Gahanna Lincoln improved its efficiency in set 2, notching 13 kills against 6 errors. The visitors fought back from deficits of 10-5 to within two, 17-15, late in the match. But thanks to nice spikes by Catanzaro and Boeckman, the Wildcats stretched the lead back to 23-20 and the eventual 25-21 final score. In the end, the Cats' four aces proved to be the difference maker.
The Wildcats' third and final match of the day at 3:30 proved to be a close one, pitting the Cats against the Cards of Columbus St. Charles.
The front lines again proved to be a critical factor for the Wildcats. Flanagan tabbed 5 kills to guide the team and Catanzaro and Boeckman each tabbed 3 towards the final count of 13 vs. just five recorded by the Cardinals.
The Wildcats again leaped out to a great start, scrapping to leads of 8-4 and 16-12. A late push by the Cards narrowed the advantage to just one at 21-20, but a Flanagan tip, David Castele ace, and two St. Charles errors gave the Wildcats a 25-20 victory.
The final set of the day was won in the back line. The Cards and Cats countered each other well at the net, with the teams combined for just 13 kills and 0 blocks.
Each Wildcat played well in the back, as seven different players contributed digs. The strong play, along with a few well-timed kills, helped the Volleyball Cats stockpile 10 of the first 14 points.
St. Charles did cut into the lead, sticking within three heading into the stretch, 17-14. Errors by both teams set up a thrilling finish, with Saint Ignatius clinging to a 22-21 lead. But a Catanzaro kill and ace, along with a Cardinal sin on the last play, allowed the Wildcats to walk away with a 25-21 set win and a 2-0 match victory.
"Vince had to switch roles mid match moving from Libero to Setter in our first match and really played well to help us to a come from behind win in match 1 and great execution in match 2 and 3," head coach Jacob Layden said. "Phil played really well all weekend, leading us in passing and hitting efficiency. He was able to release a lot of pressure with kills in big moments."
Following the Volleyball Cats' weekend sweep, Massillon Jackson will visit Sullivan Gym on Tuesday evening at 7:15 pm. The Wildcats will then head to Hudson on Thursday evening for a road matchup.