Post-season awards pile up for C-R volleyball

3/15/2016

By Jim Poole

Cobleskill-Richmondville's volleyball players reaped post-season honors last week.
The Bulldogs, whose season ended with a loss in Regionals to Chittenango March 5, had five players win Patroon Conference awards.
Cory Brooker was named the league's most valuable player, and Spencer Tyrrell, Jared Almy and Brenden Tracy were all named to the first team all-stars. Jacob Wayman was picked for the second team.
Bulldog Coach Brian LaVine was named coach of the year.
Quoting the late, great UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, Coach LaVine noted that "Anyone can win with great players."
"And this year, I had great, great players," he added.
Brooker was a league first team all star last year and was picked for the second team two years ago. Tracy was on the first team last year.
The Bulldogs were undefeated in Patroon play this year and won the Section II title before losing in Regionals.
"This is the highest level of talent I've had," Coach LaVine said. "It was just so much fun taking them so far."
The Bulldogs may be hard-pressed to repeat next year. Brooker, Tracy and Almy are all seniors, as is fellow starter Justin Davis.
Only juniors Tyrrell and Wayman will return, but Coach LaVine is okay with that.
"Spencer and Jake will be back. That's a good core to work with," Coach LaVine said.
"And we have some younger guys who will be good players. It will be fun to rebuild the team."