Despite being in what head coach Joanne Meadows called a “rebuilding year,” the Thunderbirds (15-2) will get a third shot in a row at the Far West Regional today with a trip to states on the line against the Alexander Trojans (20-2) at Letchworth High School at 5 p.m.

Chautauqua Lake was one win away from states the past two years — even coming down to a fifth set against Harley Allendale Columbia last year — and then with the graduation of seven seniors it looked like the Thunderbirds might have to wait a little bit until they got back to that stage.

Viewing this season as a rebuilding year, Chautauqua Lake still managed an impressive regular season in which it lost just twice and nabbed the No. 2 spot in the Class D playoffs. Then, after sweeping victories against Pine Valley and Clymer/Sherman, Chautauqua Lake found itself in the sectional final last weekend against their rival Panama.

Both of Chautauqua Lake’s losses were to the Panthers in the regular season and it looked like it was Panama’s turn at the Far West Regional.

Chautauqua Lake senior Ava Olson will play in her third Far West Regional today when the Thunderbirds take on Section V’s Alexander at 5 p.m. at Letchworth High School. File photo by Debbra Bailey

However, the Thunderbirds’ roster saw its remaining four seniors step up and the youth did not crumble in the high-stakes sectional final to sweep the Panthers in three sets.

“I said to the seniors earlier on that your legacy is not going to be your win-loss record,” Meadows said after the sectional final victory last week. “It’s going to be how you bring these little kids along from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. I think that the kids really stepped up and were really encouraging to the little kids, even at times when they were probably frustrated.”

Rising to the moment last week were seniors Ava Olson, Bre Smith and Brynn Engdahl, and a youthful presence from freshman Karagan Fairbank, sophomore Jeanine Group and seventh-grader Alice Scarpine. For several of the players, it will be their first big impact at the Far West Regional, and if they want to finally break through to states, they will need to play with the same confidence as last week.

“I think the mindset is just keep one step at a time,” Meadows said heading into the regionals. “That’s what I keep telling them, one at a time, one point at a time. We can’t be adrenaline-filled at the beginning and then let down because a couple mistakes. We’re going to make mistakes and other teams are going to capitalize on it and we can still come back. It’s just keep working together, keep focusing on each other and one at a time.”

Alexander is just like Chautauqua Lake was the past two seasons, entering the Section V Class D playoffs as the top-seeded team. Alexander lost just one set in the Class D1 playoffs, beating Bolivar-Richburg 3-1 in the semifinals, before going on to sweep York for the D1 title and then Elba in the crossover game.

The Southwestern volleyball team will take on Section V’s Livonia in the Class B Far West Regional this Saturday at Victor High School at 10 a.m. P-J file photo by Braden Carmen

Alexander secured its second title in three seasons, but will now be playing in the Far West Regional thanks to D1 Tournament MVP Alyssa Kramer, who scored 15 kills, 13 digs and an ace in the title game. Kramer shared the spotlight with Holly Bykowski, who recorded 25 assists, three aces and six digs, Maia Sailie, who collected nine kills and two blocks, and Makayla Raines, who added 15 digs.

SOUTHWESTERN PLAYS IN CLASS B FWR SATURDAY

VICTOR — When Southwestern swept Akron last Wednesday it claimed its first Section VI volleyball championship in program history. Then, just two days later, the Class B2 champion Trojans won the overall B title with a sweep against Iroquois.

Southwestern’s historic season continues on Saturday when it will play in the Far West Regional against Section V’s Livonia at Victor High School at 10 a.m.

The Trojans (14-6) ended the regular season with back-to-back losses to Class C2 champion Randolph and C1 runner-up Falconer, but after that they have been on a tear. Southwestern swept through the Class B1 playoffs, defeating Medina 25-8, 25-11, 25-10; Olmsted 25-10, 25-14, 25-8; Akron 25-14, 25-20, 25-9; and then Iroquois 28-26, 25-21, 25-23.

Southwestern senior Lauren Cotter has stood out for the Trojans all year with 266 kills, 142 digs, 86 aces and 37 blocks; Jaidyn Newhouse has scored 166 kills, 35 aces and 32 blocks; Bella Sirianni has done a good job setting up the offense with 414 assists, 52 digs and 30 aces; Payton Swartz has been a big part of the defense with 140 digs and 24 aces; and McKenna Bogdanowicz has shined with 55 digs, 51 aces and 30 assists.

While Southwestern is experiencing some firsts as a program, Section V champion Livonia is getting back to a point it hasn’t been in a very long time. The last time the Bulldogs won the sectional title was 16 years ago when they were crowned Class B2 champions. However, Livonia does have some volleyball history, including the Class B state championship in 1996.

The Bulldogs have a veteran roster, consisting of nine seniors, and the four captains have led the way for them. Hannah Ingram stands out with 159 kills, Ava Simmons brings along 116 kills, while Julie Renner and Lillie Capecci set them up with 202 and 200 assists respectively.

Livonia, just like Southwestern, was the No. 2 team in its playoff bracket, but the Bulldogs did not have an easy time making it out of Section V.

The Bulldogs opened the playoffs with a prequarterfinal sweep, but in the quarterfinals needed five sets to beat No. 7 Aquinas. Then, after the quarterfinal scare, Livonia swept Mynderse Academy and defeated Midlakes 3-1 for the sectional title.

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For live updates of both Chautauqua Lake’s Class D Far West Regional and Southwestern’s Class B Far West Regional follow along on x.com @Chris__Storms