Injuries and Absences Lead to Rankings Shuffle in Week Two…
April 17th, 2022
Week Two in Rhode Island Boys Volleyball world was defined by injuries and absences leading to a shuffling of positions in the top 15 rankings. Cranston East took the brunt of it, with top outside hitter Jordan Bou down due to an ankle injury. Bou, with his foot in a boot, could only watch as the Bolts suffered two losses on the week. Cranston West also continues to be without star left Chris Buonaccorsi. CW was able to get by South Kingstown early but was left looking longingly at their guy on the sidelines as the week carried on…until Friday. Coventry is another program looking for bodies as they piece together a squad to compete. The Oakers were stoked to get John Shea back in the lineup for this week. In a league where the margin of victory is thin, injuries and absences can change everything as the season marches on.
North Kingstown (5 - 0) - Defending Champs do not slow down in week two. With wins over Classical, South Kingstown, and five set thriller over Cranston West, the Skippers continue to execute their game plan. Mason Andrade and Cam Alexander continue to impress, with Andrade holding the ship together during rough seas.
La Salle (5 - 0) - Rams get a big win against Hendricken at home and then held down the fort with wins over Classical and Coventry. Jack Johnson, Brendan Pendergast, Nick Lisi, and Greg Bosquet all doing work in the week, but reducing errors has to be on the mind.
Chariho (3 - 2) - Chargers hold on to the 3rd spot, but just barely. Chariho took victories from a Bou-less Cranston East, a Buonaccorsi-less Cranston West, and then were gob-smacked by the East Greenwich Avengers. Dropping a five setter to EG could help in the long run as the Green may need to learn to diversify their attack.
Hendricken (3 - 2) - BH took a tough loss at La Salle where apparently the air was filled with errors for both clubs. The Hawks then returned home and protected the house from East Greenwich in a 3-1 decision. Evan Dion came to play in the middle, with 12 kills on 15 swings vs. the Avengers.
East Greenwich (2 - 2) - The upset of the week belongs to East Greenwich. The Avengers lost to Hendricken on the road, but then returned home and stunned Chariho with a 3-2 victory. Brayden Stanger did work on the Chargers, making a solid bid to join fellow Avenger Max Silverman on the big board.
Cranston East (2 - 2) - Missing Jordan Bou and Rowan Hanley has the Bolts in a free fall. With loses to Chariho in three, and Coventry in five, CE will need to find away to generate points until fully healthy again.
Coventry (2 - 3) - It appears the Oakers are on the right track now as starting setter John Shea is back from injury. Coventry was able to eek out a win over Cranston East in five, but couldn’t handle the power of La Salle Academy later on in the week.
Cranston West (2 - 3) - Chris Buonaccorsi returned Friday to put a scare into North Kingstown, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the defending champs. The Falcons were able to get a “W” against South Kingstown, but took their second “L” of the week on the road to Chariho.
MSC / NS (3 - 0) - The North Mountie Men finished with two vics, handing Central and Barrington three set setbacks. Connor DeSousa is getting roughly 10 kills a night.
Pilgrim (4 - 0) - This year’s cardiac kids, Pilgrim is working the dangerous art of the reverse sweep. Twice, the Patriots lost the first two sets to an opponent only to come back and win the remaining three. They did it again this week vs. Barrington. Luckily, they got a preferred three set sweep as well on Woonsocket.
East Providence (4 - 0) - The Townies jump three spots with a solid 2 - 0 week. EP took care of Central on the road in three and then took down the Westerly Bulldogs at home. In what’s shaping up as a race between five teams for the top, the Westerly win is big.
Westerly (3 - 1) - A 1 -1 week pushes the Bulldogs down a slot as the East Providence loss on the road hurts. Westerly did grab a win at home vs. Tolman/Shea. With only one match next week, vs. the Wizards, Westerly will need to show big to maintain their spot in the race for top dog in D-2.
West Warwick (2 - 1) - With a couple of three set wins against Toll Gate and Tolman/Shea, the Wizards held court and now prepare for a big time match-up with Westerly. Beating Westerly at their own barn could be the early dagger to the Bulldogs and the springboard toward top three in D-2 for the Wizards.
Lincoln (4 - 0) - With two straight set victories on the week, against Burrillville and Exeter West Greenwich, the Lions are off to their best start in a long time. A match-up with the other undefeated D-3 team Johnston is looming…
Johnston (3 - 0) - Johnston took care of business against a plucky Exeter West Greenwich team. The Panthers now have their eyes set on the Lions.
Happy Easter!