SOMERS, N.Y. - On Wednesday, Oct. 22, Somers hosted Croton-Harmon/Briarcliff/Hen Hud at the high school. Facing a combined squad with plenty of size, the Tuskers knew they were in for a challenge.
“There were some big dudes out there,” joked Justin Cirioni.
Somers held its own early, playing to an 18-18 tie in the first set before the visitors pulled away to take seven of the next nine points. That momentum carried through as Croton-Harmon/Briarcliff/Hen Hud swept the match, 25-20, 25-10, 25-14.
Somers started strong, with Jacob Anderson and Jaiden Marichal chasing down short balls to keep rallies alive. Mark Mundis capped the early effort by painting the back line with a kill to even the score at one. A rotation error and a string of Croton mistakes helped Somers build an 8-3 lead.
But the visitors settled in, cutting the deficit to 10-8 after a series of kills and a Somers carry.
Marichal helped steady the Tuskers with a kill and a clever tip, quick to credit his setter for the setup. “Jacob [Anderson] runs the offense,” said Marichal. “He’s a great leader—always giving everyone advice on how to improve their game.”
At 12-11, Somers picked up two more points on Croton miscues, and Ryan Ball extended the lead with a deep push that landed cleanly. Mundis followed with a kill for a 17-14 advantage, but the tide soon turned.
Croton’s big front line strung together three powerful kills to tie it at 18, then battled through a long rally to take the pivotal 19th point. Despite multiple spikes from Marichal and two blocks by Jordan Daniyan, Somers couldn’t hold off the surge. A kill, an ace, and a Tusker miscue opened a four-point gap, and Croton-Harmon/Briarcliff/Hen Hud closed out the set.
The second set followed a similar script. After an early 3-2 score, the visitors broke it open to lead 15-4.
Marichal again provided a highlight, hammering home a kill from the middle to make it 17-7—a reminder of how far he’s come. “I used to be a setter,” he said. “I just started playing club volleyball, kept practicing, and got better.”
Though the outcome wasn’t in doubt, Somers found positives in the effort and the season’s progress.
“I hope this program keeps running,” said Marichal, who graduates this year.
Mundis agreed that the groundwork for future success is being laid. “The program has grown a lot in the way we act—the way we conduct ourselves, keep the energy up, and make sure not to falter after mistakes,” he said. “I’m really happy with the direction this is headed.”
Cirioni, a junior, echoed that optimism. “I just like the team aspect,” he said. “No one is left out—even if you’re on the bench.”
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