HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL Salem claims its 16th straight championship

Lauren Teal led the Quakers past Poland for a 9-1 league record.
By JOHN BUTERA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
SALEM -- Just when the Canfield and Poland volleyball teams thought they might have shot at part of the Metro Athletic Conference championship, Salem High proved once again that it is still the boss.
Behind an outstanding up-front game from sophomore Lauren Teal, the Quakers topped Poland 15-3, 5-9 last night in Salem's gymnasium to win their 16th consecutive conference championship.
Strong start: In the opening game the Quakers (14-8, 9-1 MAC) scored on seven of their eight possession win easily.
With Salem ahead 6-1, Poland used a nicely-placed serve from Erin Mulligan to help the Bulldogs cut the deficit to 6-3.
The Quakers then ran off six points as the 6-foot Teal started to make her presents known along with teammate Kelli Crouse.
Salem pushed the margin to 12-3, then again with Teal leading the way, ran off the final three points the next time it had the serve.
Teal said, "I thought it would be a lot harder tonight. I figured they would give us more trouble then they did, especially in the first game."
Late surge: Poland regrouped somewhat in the second game and managed leads of 8-5 and 9-8, before Salem reeled off seven points on its last two possessions.
An outstanding play from Teal up front gave the Quakers the lead for good 10-9, and from there Poland (12-10, 7-3) couldn't rebound.
"We were ready," said Poland's Lori DelSignore, "but after the start we fell apart. A lot of us weren't mentally prepared."
Poland coach Fred Smith visibly upset following the loss and didn't address the media.
Statistics: Steffi Graf led Poland with two points, four kills and 15 digs, while Raeanne Coppola contributed eight blocks and four kills and Mulligan had seven assists and six digs.
The Quakers' squad made up of underclassmen got six kills and four blocks from Teal. Kelli Crouse added five kills and a block and Tiffanie Heestand had six kills.
"I didn't think it would come to this game," said Salem coach Don Conser, "but Canfield (8-2 MAC) played real well Tuesday night and that put us behind the eight ball.
"After the first game it looked easy, but I knew Fred [Smith] would have his team fired up. In game two it took us a little time to get rolling, but was we passed them at nine, we took over."