Every ball is contested.
Every point is a battle.
The game I photographed tonight, I photographed decades ago. Some of the coaches were players then, some of the coaches then are still on the bench now.
And this is volleyball.
No questions asked.
Either team could've found the groove to take momentum, but the other team, point after point said, 'wait a minute, we're still here.'
Thankfully, this year they both get to go forward into the state playoffs because they both are that good. They both had one regular seaso loss in the region and it was against each other. In the late 1990s I remember taking a big pocketfuls of film on a road trip that began around 3 a.m. to photograph Cochranton playing in a state championship down at Shippensburg University. I swear that team that year, never let a ball spiked in their direction hit the floor. They contested everything. They didn't end up winning that year but did a few years later. I have been privileged to photograph battles between these two squads for a very long time. |
I was just getting situatuated to take some match photos when I received a message from Brian Hanley, someone I have known from the early days of his kids playing sports. He saw me at the game and decided it would be funny to let me know there was already an "ugly photographer" at the game and I didn't need to come. (yes I love you too Brian!). When you've been around awhile these things are funny. Trust me.
So old memories surfaced, even though the faces of the players are different. Lisa and I covered many matches over the years that had very similar folks playing very similar roles.
She and I made a pact tonight that if Maplewood and Cochranton meet again in the semi-finals, we'll both try to be there to cover the match together like we've done dozens of times before.
This volleyball match was just fun to watch and be a small part in documenting. I am thankful I was there.
Both teams will move on into the state playoffs. Maplewood is a six time state champion and is looking to repeat after winning in 2022.
Below are more photos from the match. More photos can be viewed at: sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p433053205