Wilkes-Barre, Pa. – The Holy Redeemer Royals are one step closer to a state championship, fueled by the dynamic duo of Josh Rocha adn Jack Wasiakowski. Their seamless coordination propelled the team to a decisive 3-0 victory (25-16, 25-17, 25-19) over Carver Engineering & Science, the third-place contender from District 3, in the opening round of the PIAA Class 2A boys volleyball playoffs on Tuesday.

The Royals,now boasting a 20-game winning streak,are set to face york Suburban (17-3),the District 3 runner-up,in the next round on Saturday.The time and location are to be determined by the PIAA. York Suburban advanced by defeating Lansdale Catholic, the District 12 champion, 3-1 (22-25, 25-11, 28-26, 25-16).

This upcoming match holds extra significance as Holy Redeemer seeks to avenge an earlier loss to York Suburban in a nonleague tournament, where they fell 1-0 (30-26).

Rocha’s Dominance and Team Spirit

Josh Rocha’s extraordinary performance was a key factor in the victory. He recorded an notable 31 kills, bringing his season total to 927 kills in just 88 sets. His enthusiasm was palpable as he spoke about the team’s performance:

This is amazing. We really came as a team, especially with the fans; we wanted to give them a show. It was amazing with our team, and I am proud of every single one of them.
Josh Rocha, Holy Redeemer Player

Playing their final home game of the season, and Rocha’s last of his high school career, the Royals showcased remarkable energy and determination.

Overcoming Challenges from Carver E & S

Carver Engineering & Science (12-8) presented a formidable challenge, displaying competitive rallies and powerful attacks throughout the match. Ziyan Hemingway and Levi Mast provided sparks of brilliance, occasionally unsettling Holy redeemer.

However, the potent combination of Rocha and Wasiakowski, who contributed 29 assists, proved insurmountable. Rocha acknowledged the initial uncertainty due to a lack of scouting data:

we didn’t have film on them as we couldn’t find it anywhere. Coming into the game, we were a little shaky, and that is why you saw it was a tight game at first. We just played our game and played as a team.
Josh Rocha, Holy Redeemer Player

Key Moments and Set Breakdown

• First Set: rocha set the tone early with eight kills, showcasing his signature powerful strikes and timely soft dinks.
• Second Set: Max Mohutsky ignited a five-point run, including three aces, giving the Royals a 16-11 lead. Wasiakowski’s jump serve further extended the advantage, and Rocha’s 11 kills secured the 25-16 victory.
• Third Set: After Carver E & S gained momentum, Rocha spearheaded a comeback with a series of slams. korey tang added a crucial kill, and Sebastian Cooney contributed an ace. With the score tied at 17-17,Rocha’s consecutive spikes and Mohutsky’s six-point run sealed the match. Jack Broda added a block, and Rocha finished the match with a final kill.

Wasiakowski emphasized the importance of their serve-receive game:

That has been a big part of our game, our serve-receive. That’s what we call our bread and butter. That is where we do our best from the service line. When I can go back there and energize the team, I am doing more than what my part is of assisting the ball.
Jack Wasiakowski, Holy Redeemer Player

Hayden Fleegle anchored the defense with seven digs.

Wasiakowski concluded by highlighting the team’s trust in their hitters and their preparedness for high-pressure situations:

We trusted our hitters. That’s what we have been doing all year. We practice every day for a reason. We are comfortable in those situations, and I think we played pretty well in those (tight) situations.
Jack Wasiakowski, Holy redeemer Player