Staples Volleyball Defeats Southington In Three Sets [Photos]

For some teams, the sight of the full-decorated and filled to capacity cheering section could have been intimidating. Not for the members of the Staples boys volleyball team.

Staples overcame the challenge of playing on the road Friday night, taking three straight sets to defeat Southington, 25-20, 25-7, 25-21, and avenge a loss to the Blue Knights in last year's CIAC Class L state title game.

That defeat snapped the Wreckers' 101-match winning streak  and ended their four-year state title reign.

Friday night marked the first time the state powers had met since Southington won an epic five-setter a year ago, 10-25, 28-26, 25-23, 19-25, 15-11.

The Wreckers easily won the rematch, improving to 8-1 under new coach Jonathan Shepro, who took over for longtime Staples mentor Bruce Betts.

Take a look back at Friday's match through pictures as Staples heads home with an especially satisfying win.