The Cranston West girls volleyball team picked up a 3-1 win over rival Cranston East on Monday night to complete the season sweep of its crosstown rival.
The Falcons were led by Olivia Venagro, who added to her impressive season with a performance that included 13 kills, 16 assists and two aces. Mia Crudale was sharp defensively with 16 digs while Natalie Brandow finished with six kills of her own.
“It’s always nice to get a win. East is a much improved team over the last time we played them. They have a bright future. Credit to them. Now, we have to turn around quickly,” said West coach Tom Ferri.
The Falcons got back on track as they fell to East Greenwich the previous game. Ten teams will qualify for the Division I playoffs, but only the top six will be able to make it in without winning a play-in game first. The win improved West to 5-6 and in seventh place in the division, with two marquee matches coming up against surging North Kingstown and La Salle Academy. The team will also be cramming its schedule in the final weeks, which will force the Falcons to play their best volleyball to make a run at a top-6 seed.
“It’s always better going into a tough match having won the previous one, that helps. We have four games in five days next week so that will be a test of a lot of things,” Ferri said. “Endurance, mental toughness. What it comes down to is that we need to hit the ball better against better competition. If we don’t, we won’t be able to compete with them at that level.”
Although the team is eyeing a top-6 seed, it likes its chances against any one in the division as long as it reaches the postseason.
“You want to avoid that play-in game, that’s the goal. If that doesn’t happen, you still have a shot. Once you get to the playoffs anything can happen, it’s about who’s peaking at the right time,” Ferri said.
The Falcons took on North Kingstown on Wednesday, but the results were unavailable at press time. East fell to 1-9 with the loss.