The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake boys volleyball team proved yet again that it is the one to beat in the Suburban Council.
The Spartans didn’t drop a game in winning last Saturday’s Suburban Council Mid-season Tournament at home. They swept through pool play before beating Saratoga Springs 25-19, 25-11 in the quarterfinals, Shenendehowa 25-19, 25-14 in the semifinals and Section VI power Canisius 25-16, 25-12 in the finals.
They did pretty well when it got down to the end, said BH-BL coach Paul Sander.
Not every game was easy for the Spartans, though. Baldwinsville pushed BH-BL to the limit in the opening game of pool play before the Spartans pulled out a 25-21 win. Saratoga and Shen also challenged BH-BL in individual games, but the Spartans always responded with a dominating performance thereafter.
The run through the tournament mirrored BH-BL’s run through the first half of the Suburban Council season. The Spartans ` who are currently on a five-year unbeaten streak ` have dominated their competition on their way to a 9-0 record.
BH-BL has benefitted from a starting lineup that includes seniors Matt Bynon, Mike Fischer, Jordan Armstrong and Eric Sandmann.
`The one person who has made a big difference for us is Eric Sandmann,` said Sander. `He’s been a major part of our offense. He wasn’t a starter last year, and he’s made the most of his opportunity.`
The Spartans looked to keep their winning streak alive Wednesday when they hosted second-place Bethlehem.
`I know they’ve been saying they’re ready for us,` Sander said of Bethlehem. `I think we’re ready for them.“