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HANOVER TWP. — They carried a large box of cupcakes and a dozen of pink roses to Debbie Gavin as the boys and their fans sang happy birthday to the Nanticoke boys volleyball head coach.
On the court, the Trojans started the birthday celebration about 55 minutes prior to singing in the stands.
Nanticoke put on a dominating performance. Behind powerful spikes from seniors Matt Winters and Robert Burke, the team wasted little time in disposing of rival Hanover Area in a 3-0 Wyoming Valley Conference victory.
Match scores were 25-8, 25-16 and 25-19.
“Last year, going to states, it was an eye-opening experience for us,” Burke said. “I’m praying that we get another opportunity this season because I think we can do well. We have a good amount of talent back. I’m just having fun right now. The coaching is great, and this team, I can’t say enough about them.”
No doubt, this was a tricky spot for the Trojans.
Coming off a big week in which Nanticoke captured top honors of the Wyoming Valley West tournament and an enormous conference victory over Crestwood, Wednesday was the perfect opportunity for a slip-up.
Hanover Area, on the other hand, was coming in on a two-match losing skid — which included a heartbreaking five-setter against Hazleton Area.
Five minutes in, that question about a letdown was answered. Nanticoke had an 11-1 lead in the first, forcing Hanover Area coach Bill Kane to call a timeout.
A nine-point run on Jake Niewinski’s serve put it away as the Trojans needed just 14 minutes to grab the 25-8 victory.
“We are all clicking, and the chemistry is good right now,” Winters said. “We’ve been playing for a while now, and that helps. I think today showed how good we can be and how good we are going to be. You have to be ready to play every night because anyone can win on any night in volleyball. You can’t be laid back. You have to be on your toes at all times.”
Experience shows up in big moments.
Hanover Area put a scare in the Trojans in the second set. Despite trailing 12-4 early, the Hawks rallied behind two kills and a block from Derek Brodginski, igniting a 12-4 run that cut the lead to just 17-16.
It didn’t get any closer. With Jake Bevan serving darts to the back left corner and Winters clobbering pretty sets from Eddie Lukowski, the Trojans scored the last eight points.
“I think we played our game in that first set,” Gavin said. “But I did get a little worried in that second game because we got a little too relaxed. That passing got away from us for a while. But we were able to correct it, and come out ahead. And that’s all that counts.”
The Hawks, who struggled with the back-to-front passing all night, never got any traction in the third — down 13-3 early and by as many as 13 at one point.
“They are well coached, and it’s hard against them because they are all over the court on defense,” Kane said. “We committed too many overpasses and just didn’t cover the floor well enough against them. Right now, we just want to build every week. I think there are still wins on the table for us.”
Winters finished with 14 kills, while Burke had 11 spikes and four blocks. Lukowski added 30 assists, and teammates Niewinski and Brent Piontkowski combined for 11 kills.
Hanover Area’s Brodginski had a team-high seven kills.
“Our attackers are swinging well, and we have four really good hitters – plus four legitimate blockers,” Gavin said. “Our setter, Eddie, he’s fast. He can get to anything. He’s a big asset to us. We are just taking it one game at a time, with our goal being districts again. We will see what happens.”
Coughlin 3, Dallas 0
Rob Zidierski led the way with 14 kills, three blocks and two aces as the Crusaders swept Dallas 25-19, 25-22, 25-15.
Sal Purpura finished with 14 assists, three kills and six aces and Matthew Bruns added two kills, one block, two assists, 12 digs and one ace to the win.
Dallas’ Brian Drouse recorded six kills, five blocks and three aces, while Steve Darling had nine assists and two kills.
Nanticoke 3, Hanover Area 0
Nanticoke`25`25`25
Hanover Area`8`16`19
Nanticoke: Matt Winters 14 kills, 3 blocks, 1 ace; Robert Burke 11 kills, 4 blocks, 2 aces; Eddie Lukowski 30 assists, 2 kills.
Hanover Area: Derek Brodginski 7 kills