Sweep revenge: Northeastern takes care of Central York in volleyball showdown
When Northeastern teammates Reese Devilbiss and Phillip White left the gym floor at Central York on Thursday, they were feeling significantly better than they did at the close of the 2014 regular season.
Each player recalled the three-set loss to the Panthers a year ago, and each was determined to reverse those fortunes when the two reigning PIAA boys' volleyball champs squared off.
Devilbiss and White combined for 33 kills, as the Bobcats swept Central, 25-22, 25-23, 25-16, and finished as the YAIAA regular season champions with an 11-0 league and 12-0 overall record.
"We were seeking some revenge the whole entire time. This is what we've been working hard for, the offseason, the preseason, throughout the season to accomplish," said Devilbiss, who added two aces, four digs and an assist to his line.
White, a senior, echoed those sentiments.
"Since it's my last year, I am very excited to come in here and go out with a bang, especially after last year (when) they gave it to us," he said. White added two blocks, four aces, four digs and an assist.
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After a pair of close games, Northeastern turned it on in the final set. Devilbiss dove to bring up a dig, the ball went to setter Matt Schaeffer (32 assists), and back to Devilbiss for a back row kill that put the Bobcats up 6-0.
The Panthers took the next point, but White added a kill and followed that with a block for an 8-1 lead. Jason Gardner (11 kills) notched a point for Central, but Jeff Reynolds' kill, a White ace, a violation and a Reynolds block made it 12-2.
After rallying from deficits in the first two games, the Panthers couldn't muster another comeback in this one.
"We came out with 5-6 points off the bat, that's what you want. Then you hold onto that lead if not build upon it, and I thought we did a good job with that," Bobcats coach Matt Wilson said. "We were fortunate to come out on top in those first two, and I thought we could finally breathe a little bit, relax and play hard the third game. I am pretty happy."
Wilson was also pleased to see five different players record kills in the finale.
"If we can get five individuals point scoring for us, that is going to bode well for Northeastern, that's for sure," he said.
Northeastern, which is currently ranked No. 1 in the state in Class AA, went up 16-11, and 19-13 in the middle set, but Central mounted a 10-3 run and took the lead when a Bobcats' serve went long. However, Devilbiss had the answer with a booming kill, then followed a Panthers error with a dink over the block for game point.
Central (10-1, 11-1) coach Brad Livingston was proud with the way his team battled, but acknowledged how good Northeastern is.
"I would've like to win Game 2. I had a feeling we might be able to get to five games, but we didn't play well enough," he said. "(Northeastern) played very well. We've seen them in a couple of tournaments. They are smooth operators."
With cancer patients Marcus Josey (Northeastern) and Peter Falci (Central) serving as team captains, the Bobcats raced out to an 8-2 lead in the opening set. But after three straight Devilbiss points, the Panthers rallied with five straight points, two from Gardner, cutting into the lead, and Central eventually tied the score at 22.
However, as he did all night, Devilbiss notched back-to-back kills, and the set ended when a Panther effort went out of bounds.
Northeastern 3, Central York 0 25-22, 25-23, 25-16 at Central York
Northeastern stats — Matt Schaeffer (1 kill, 1 block, 32 assists), Reese Devilbiss (23 kills, 2 aces, 4 digs, 1 assist), Phillip White (10 kills, 2 blocks, 4 aces, 4 digs, 1 assist), Brandon Arentz (4 kills, 1 block, 5 digs), Matt Thornton (3 kills, 1 block), Jeff Reynolds (4 kills, 1 block), Chris Lee (4 digs, 3 assists).
Central York stats — Landon Shorts (12 kills, 8 digs, 6 assists), Jeremiah Dadeboe (8 kills, 1 dig), Jason Gardner (11 kills, 1 ace, 3 digs, 1 assist), Hayden Wagner (2 blocks, 1 dig), Braden Neal (2 kills, 1 block, 4 digs), Nate Mehl (1 kills, 1 dig), Trevor Holderegger (1 ace, 7 digs, 14 assists), Zach Beam (1 ace), Carter Luckenbaugh (1 dig, 9 assists), Zac Kakos (1 dig).
JV Score — Northeastern def. Central York, 25-20, 25-6.
Rivals for a good cause
When Northeastern and Central York got together to determine the YAIAA regular season boys' volleyball champion on Thursday night, both sides were playing for something even more special.
Northeastern junior Marcus Josey, who is currently undergoing treatment for leukemia, served as the Bobcats' captain. The Panthers had cancer patient Peter Falci doing the same on their bench.
Josey traveled from Hershey Medical Center for the beginning of the match, and Falci, who has completed three of his four scheduled chemotherapy stages, encouraged his school mates all evening.
The two posed for pictures together, each wearing the other's rally shirts, before and after the match, providing plenty of inspiration.
"It's one of the big marquee nights for York County volleyball for the regular season," Bobcats coach Matt Wilson said. "To be able to join forces on a night like tonight for a good cause, you can't get much better than that. It was pretty nice."
The Central York athletic staff collected donations, and $662 was awarded to each family.