DJ Sixsmith ’11
Web Sports Editor

Just as it did earlier this season, the Staples Wreckers boys volleyball team swept rival Greenwich 3-0 in the FCIAC semifinals Wednesday night at Fairfield Ludlowe High School.

The 25-18, 25-17, 25-7 win was the 98th straight for the Wreckers, who advanced to Friday’s championship match at Ludlowe (7 p.m.) against Darien, a surpise 3-2 winner over Ridgefield in Wednesday’s first semifinal.

Staples is seeking its eighth consecutive FCIAC volleyball championship.

The Wreckers immediately set the tempo in the first game by jumping out to a 9-3 lead.

Behind senior captains Tom Prenderville and Mikey Fitzgerald, the Wreckers’ front line dominated the Cardinals’ defense. Staples had no problem running its sets, which allowed the back hitters to quickly bring the ball to the front of the net.

While the Cardinals cut the Wreckers lead to 20-15 at one point behind the strong serving of their senior captain Brain Leads, Staples ended any ideas of comeback when Prenderville slammed the ball past two defenders for the kill to give Staples the first game.

Despite falling in the opener, the Cardinals quickly turned things around in game No. 2. Riding their senior captain Leads, they finally began to click on offense, allowing the No. 4 seed in the FCIAC tournament to get out to a 7-2 advantage.

However, this success proved to be short-lived as the Wreckers rallied to tie the game, 16-16. Behind the strong play of senior captains Matt Brill and Evan Gaumert, Staples went on 9-1 burst to finish off the second game.

While fans previously had seen the third-seeded Darien Blue Wave rally from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Ridgefield, the Wreckers allowed no such thing. Staples took full advantage of Greenwich’s poor serving and sloppy passing to grab a 14-7 lead lead in the third contest.

With Prenderville serving, Staples scored the next 11 points, capped off by a big put-back by junior Steven Denowitz. Greenwich senior Mark Sanford ended his career and the game on a low note by hitting a set staight into the net to give the win to Staples.