EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — The Absegami High School boys volleyball team, a sophomore in the varsity program, became the sport's first Cape Atlantic League tournament champion.
On Friday, second-seeded Absegami (18-5) defeated top-seeded Egg Harbor Township 2-0 in a thrilling game in which both teams showed skill and athleticism throughout. The set scores were 25-21, 27-25.
Kaodi Wokocha led the Braves with 11 kills and added two blocks, five digs and five service points. Jake Hook and Roy Cepeda contributed nine and eight digs, respectively, with Hook finishing with two service points and an ace.
Xavier Vazquez had 18 assists, five service points and two digs. Samin Ishrak finished the match with 2 kills, 7 digs, 5 service points, and 1 ace. Julian Rivera had three kills and Dameon Hallock had two. All are seniors except Cook and Hallock, who are juniors.
Others are also reading…
“I think more than anything, we had a group of athletes that supported the system we gave them,” Absegami coach Zach Mack said. “We started as a club two years ago when this current group of fourth-year students were sophomores, and they have absorbed what we have told them every step of the way.
“They're phenomenal athletes who practice those things and have learned over the last three years to be really, really good volleyball players. And that's why we're where we are now.”
Absegami didn't lose a set in the inaugural CAL Tournament, defeating No. 7 seed St. Augustine Prep 2-0 in the quarterfinals on Monday and then defeating No. 3 seed ACIT 2-0 in the semifinals on Wednesday. I broke it.
EHT and Absegami split two games earlier this season in the Cape Atlantic League American Conference, going 2-1.
“All of my matches against EHT were at a very high intensity level,” Mack said. “It was all a back-and-forth game. We played well. We knew they were going to push, and in the second timeout I told the players we have to fight back. And I think we did a great job on that. ”
The score remained close throughout the first set, with both teams tied 12 times. The Braves scored two straight points to go up 22-20, and after the EHT point, Absegami hit the final three points to win the set 25-21.
The Eagles led 21-16 in the second set, then 23-19 before EHT held set point at 24-22. Abu Segami tied the score at 24-24, then made it 25-25. The Braves won the final two points.
18-year-old Wokocha said: “Last time we played (win at EHT), we got off to a great start and won the first set, but then we let off the gas a little bit.Today we have to focus on staying. It didn't happen,” he said. He kept his foot on the gas and let go a little bit, but he was able to pull through at the end of the second set. ”
Friday was Cepeda's 18th birthday.
“It feels great (to win the CAL tournament),” Cepeda said. “My teammates and coaches push me to work harder every day in practice and get to every ball I can.”
For EHT (17-6), Christian Vitienrat totaled six kills, two digs, three service points and one ace. Bryce Lake had five kills and Joshua Blushkin added three kills and a block. Joseph Vu had three digs, six assists, five service points and one ace. Jason Mendez had four digs, three service points, and one ace, and Clinton Lee had two kills, one dig, and eight assists.
“Two great teams, two of the best teams in the Cape Atlantic League,” Egg Harbor Township coach Christian Wiehy said on his 37th birthday. “We knew before the season that a matchup between two talented groups might be inevitable. High-level volleyball will be a back-and-forth affair, but both offenses are very strong.” So no one will try to escape.”
EHT went 7-1 and won the CAL American Conference championship.
“I think it's pretty (appropriate) to split the title because both teams deserve it,” Wiehy said.
Contact Guy Gargan: 609-272-7210
G Gargan@pressofac.com
