CLARKS SUMMIT – Lake-Lehman made a drastic move up in boys volleyball this season, all the way to its first playoff appearance in seven years.
Once there, the Black Knights won the opening set of their first-round match at Abington Heights before falling short against the Comets, 24-26, 25-18, 25-21, 25-23, in Monday night’s District 1-2-11 Class 2A Subregional Tournament.
“We wanted to go a lot farther,” Lake-Lehman coach Chris Kukosky said. “It just wasn’t in the cards tonight.”
The Black Knights had produced just one win total from 2014 through 2017 before going 4-8 in the Wyoming Valley Conference last season. They doubled that win total this season at 8-4 in the conference and, by going 8-6 overall in the regular season, they achieved the .500 or better record necessary to guarantee a playoff berth.
Lake-Lehman rallied in the first set of their playoff return, but found itself battling from behind most of the match. The Black Knights used their blocking to frequently counter the Comets outside hitting attack, but had trouble generating any consistent offense.
“We just didn’t execute,” Kukosky said. “We stopped attacking. Our passing game was not on.”
Jon Rapsen had four blocks while Justin Timonte and Sean Sabaluski had two each.
“That has been a strength for the last three years, even when the boys were all sophomores,” Kukosky said. “Blocking was one of our strong points.”
Lake-Lehman never led by more than a point in the first set until it clinched the win.
Sam Price placed the ball well for two straight points and a 24-23 lead.
After Abington Heights tied it, Sabaluski’s strong kill into the back left corner set up his serve for the winning point.
The Comets came right out with the first three points, then scored 10 of the last 14 to take the second set.
The teams were tied 30 times in four sets, but of the other 153 points, only 38 began with Lake-Lehman in the lead.
The Black Knights had their biggest lead at 11-7 in the fourth set, but Abington Heights moved in front to stay at 19-18.
Sabaluski led Lake-Lehman with seven kills. Raspen had 22 digs. Jay Martin had 16 service points.
