CLASS L
(1) Cheshire vs (3) Staples @ 7pm @ Fairfield Warde HS
-I know that I picked against Cheshire in the last round based on how each team preformed this year but now I have the insight of having seen Staples play and how they will match-up with the Rams. How Cheshire won 21 games this season without a middle is remarkable but I think that will really catch up to them in this game. Both AJ Green and especially Andreas Bub are beasts in the middle and, in fact, Ridgefield got a kill approximately 18 of the 20 times they set the middle against Cheshire. The Tigers problem, besides their complete inability to pass the ball, was not exploiting that match-up int he middle more and not utilizing their star, Mike Peckham, more; he only had six kills in the game. Staples will have no problem feed Andreas as he led them to victory over Southington with 18 kills and 6 blocks. Blocking I think will be another key as Staples is so much better than Ridgefield at blocking so I don't expect Ryan Cuppernull and Joe Bahgat to be putting down as many balls as they did in the semifinals. Drew Appleman on the outside for Staples against Nate Howard on the right side for Cheshire will be the match-up to watch! Staples has a real shot at blocking Howard plus they will actually play defense around their blocks, another one of the keys to how they beat Southington and one of the things Ridgefield did not do against Cheshire. This will be a spectacular game, maybe not better than Southington's dethroning of Staples last year, but it very well could be.
PREDICTION: Honestly, I have nothing against the Rams, but I really do think Staples will win this match 3-1 over Cheshire, although 3-0 really would not surprise me.
CLASS M
(1) Darien vs (3) Newington @ 5pm @ Fairfield Warde HS
-Honestly, I think this pick is harder than the Class L one and that the match will be closer. Newington is a scrappy team that plays great defense, not always but at least most of the time. Their ability to just get balls up works perfectly with their setter, Reed Feery, one of the best in the state in my mind (at least on the same level as Fishman and Brumleve). Then, they have just enough offense behind the slightly banged up but still All-State outside hitter Glenn Johnson. Darien is a crisper team that leans more on their numerous offensive weapons like Calder Billhart, Austin Cockerill and Sam Bryan. This presents an interesting clash of styles that really can go either way on Friday night. Newington went to Class M last year to try and win a title that would have been theirs if not for a fluke loss to Lewis Mills but, although Class M is hundred times better this year, they have the chance now. Darien already captured the FCIAC Championship over Staples in a 3-2 thriller but they are hungry for more and their dedication to working hard for every point could prove to be the difference in this one.
PREDICTION: Darien 3-2 over Newington but don't be surprised if the Blue Wave take it in four sets.
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