CHICOPEE – For the first time since 2014, the Agawam boys volleyball team is a Western Mass. champion.
The top-seeded Brownies beat No. 2 Minnechaug, 3-0, in the PVIAC WMass Class B championship match on Saturday afternoon at Chicopee Comp.
Set scores were 25-13, 25-15 and 25-16.
“These guys in practice every day, working,” Agawam coach Kevin Pender said. “Allowed us to be where we are today.”
Daniel Yovenko led the offense for Agawam with 16 kills. Bringing home hardware in his senior season was a focus all year, especially after losing in the sectional finals last season. The loss last season to Ludlow stung.
“In our hearts, we would not take no for an answer,” Yovenko said. “I knew our team had the skill and the confidence. We had the ability to win. I am really proud of our team from where we started. We wanted to play this game for so long.”
Yovenko began playing in his sophomore season. He lost his freshman season to COVID.
“I wanted to win at least one,” Yovenko said. “I am really glad this was the year. We created great memories this season with a team that I absolutely love.”
The Brownies are now headed to state competition as the second-ranked team in Division II.
“We need to keep our momentum,” Yovenko said. “We need to execute no matter where we are on the scoreboard. There’s nothing stopping us. I believe we are the best offense in the whole state.”
There are improvements to be made before the statewide competition.
“Managing our errors, a little better,” Pender said. “Making the good errors. We take good risks and take those. Spread the ball around appropriately.”
Agawam attacked the Falcons early with a deep and powerful set of hitters. The Brownies pulled away early in each set on their way to victory.
Agawam had a 2-1 lead in the first set, but the Brownies responded with an 8-1 run to take a 9-3 lead before taking the set.
“Our serving was good today,” Pender said. “Our ball control was good. Our hitters found their rhythm. It’s a tremendous blessing. We are usually not graced with having such good options.”
Nick Uschmann added 10 kills for Agawam. Joe Culhane chipped in with another five. Culhane led Agawam with nine digs.
The ease of the win allowed the Brownies to get some young players some playoff experience. Some of the underclassmen handle a sizable workload regardless of the match.
“It’s not just our seniors pulling all the weight,” Pender said.
Uschmann is in his first season playing volleyball.
“We have been teaching some of them from the ground up,” Pender said. “We practice tough situations so we are ready when the pressure really hits us.”
Minnechaug could never get close to a set victory in the loss.
“They certainly have a lot of players that play in the offseason,” Minnechaug coach Josh Griffith said of Agawam. “They are a talented group with a good coaching staff. It makes for a good combination.”
The Falcons also move on to state competition as the tenth-ranked team in Division II.
“Everything is a learning experience,” Griffith said. “You can learn more from losses than you can from victories.”
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