COBLESKILL - The Cobleskill-Richmondville Boys Varsity Volleyball team claimed the Section II Class B Sectional Championship on Wednesday evening, defeating Hudson in four sets (27-25, 22-25, 25-13, 25-15) at 5:00 PM at Colonie High School.
The victory marks the first Section title for Cobleskill-Richmondville in a decade — a milestone that comes full circle, as the program’s current Head Coach, Justin Davis, was a player on the team the last time the team earned a championship title.
Entering the match, Cobleskill-Richmondville held a 9-8 overall record and the #2 seed in the Section II Class B tournament. Hudson entered as the #1 seed with an impressive 13-4 record and momentum on their side, having recently edged Cobleskill-Richmondville 3-2 in a league matchup. Despite the odds, Cobleskill-Richmondville rose to the occasion and prevailed.
The opening set was a tightly contested one, with Cobleskill-Richmondville grinding out a 27-25 win. Hudson responded in the second set, evening the match with a 25-22 victory. However, the final two sets showcased Cobleskill-Richmondville’s relentless determination and championship mindset. With an unstoppable focus and intensity, the team separated itself decisively, dominating Hudson 25-13 and 25-15 to secure the title.
Junior Captain #10 Markus Trappenburg powered the Cobleskill-Richmondville offense with a commanding 23 kills and added 6 service points. Senior Captain #21 Benjamin Walrath was a force at the net, recording 9 kills, 3 solo blocks, and 1 assisted block while consistently shutting down Hudson’s attack. Senior Captain #6 Aiden Carr contributed 9 kills and was dominant from the service line, earning 18 service points. Junior setter Landon Yatrakis orchestrated the offense masterfully, tallying 35 set assists and serving for 19 points.
Coach Davis said, “The boys played their hearts out and showed up determined to earn the Section Title. They put in the work and effort over these last few weeks, and to see their hard work and effort pay off is every coach's dream.”
Cobleskill-Richmondville now advances to the Regional Contest, scheduled for 1:00 PM on February 28 at Watervliet High School. The team will face the Section III Champion, Vernon Verona Sherrill.