Ever so close
Fredonia loses heartbreaker to Eden in B2 volleyball final
Fredonia’s Londyn Wilmot attempts to hit past Eden blockers Claire Fultz, left, and Raegan Waring, center, during the Section VI Class B2 volleyball final at Cheektowaga High School on Wednesday. P-J photo by Christian Storms
Fredonia’s Madelyn Krakowiak hits past Eden blockers Chloe Wierzba, left, and Claire Fultz, center, during the Section VI Class B2 final at Cheektowaga High School on Wednesday night. P-J photo by Christian Storms
Fredonia’s Londyn Wilmot attempts to hit past Eden blockers Claire Fultz, left, and Raegan Waring, center, during the Section VI Class B2 volleyball final at Cheektowaga High School on Wednesday. P-J photo by Christian Storms
Fredonia’s Madelyn Krakowiak hits past Eden blockers Chloe Wierzba, left, and Claire Fultz, center, during the Section VI Class B2 final at Cheektowaga High School on Wednesday night. P-J photo by Christian Storms
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CHEEKTOWAGA -- The Eden girls volleyball program is one of the most decorated in all of New York State with more than 30 Section VI titles and 14 state championships. When No. 2 Fredonia made the trip to Cheektowaga High School to play the top-seeded Raiders in the sectional Class B2 final, it knew it had to play its best volleyball of the season.
That's exactly what Fredonia did, but came out on the wrong side of the first two sets and 28-26, 25-23, 25-19 on Wednesday night.
Coming into the contest, Eden had dropped just one match all season and was ranked No. 5 in the state. That did not seem to faze the Hillbillies, who went point for point with the Raiders in the opening set.
"It was huge," Fredonia head coach Amanda Krakowiak said about starting strong. "Volleyball is a mental game, it's a game about momentum and just the fact that first set went past 25 and we were going back and forth. It's setting the tone, setting the stage for the night. I know Eden has pretty much gone untouched this entire season, (but) that they're not just going to come in and sweep us that easily. We're going to put up a fight and give it everything we have."
The Raiders could not shake Fredonia in the opening set and both sides managed to work the match to a game-point, but a three-point run culminated with a Mckenna Steward ace to deliver Eden the win 28-26.
"We knew Eden was going to be a very tough competitor," Krakowiak said. "This is a game where ... you have to minimize your errors, and one little mistake ends up being the difference in the game."
Fredonia stuck with Eden in the beginning of the second set, but then an 11-point run from the Raiders made it look like the Hillbillies were spent after a long opening period.
"The girls have done a very good job this year just battling back," Krakowiak stated. "We've tried to highlight different times through our history. We're always just trying to encourage the girls that this is a game (and) just because you have a big lead you're going to be comfortable. Things happen, and tonight they demonstrated being relentless and that pursuit of not giving up on the play."
Facing deficits of 14-3 and 19-10 did not diminish the morale of the Hillbillies and a seven-point run had Eden scrambling to call a timeout.
Fredonia was able to get within one point, but a block by Lexi Popovich ended the rally with a 25-23 Eden win.
Once again, Fredonia stumbled out of the gate in the third set and it once again proved too much for a comeback. Despite trailing 19-10 again, Fredonia clawed back to 21-16 and triggered another Eden timeout.
The timeout settled the Raiders again and they hung on for the 25-19 victory to add another plaque to the trophy case.
With several girls from the Fredonia group that won the sectional title in 2024, they came up short of getting back on top of Section VI.
"This group of girls is such a special group," Krakowiak stated. "This is the team we had last year. Two of the girls, Londyn (Wilmot) and Sophia Pagan were on the team two years ago when we won sectionals and a lot of the other girls were part of the team. Those girls saw what it was to be in a sectional final and this has been their dream since then. I've never had a group of girls work this hard for a goal and put as much time and effort. I'm just really proud, and it's not very often that a team like this comes around."
Fredonia (12-6) was led by Wilmot with nine kills and 18 digs, Maddie Krakowiak had seven kills and 13 digs, Pagan provided 24 digs, Alyse Bugaj dealt 20 assists and Jordan Morris delivered two blocks.
"It's been amazing to watch Londyn grow," Krakowiak said. "From being in middle school to then her first opportunity on varsity as a freshman and really being a star performer starting her 10th-grade year for us. She's just a great player, she is just a gamer too. Not many kids are willing to sacrifice and put in what she has to achieve what she has achieved."
Eden (18-1) will take on B1 champion Olean (13-7) in the Class B crossover on Saturday to determine who will represent Section VI in the state tournament.