John Klanac

Mike Stefani

John Klanac and Mike Stefani helped the Ohio State University men’s volleyball team (26-6) team to a national championship win over UC-Santa Barbara (18-15) in five games, 20-25, 25-20, 25-19, 22-25, 15-9, on Saturday evening.

Klanac, a red shirt senior, was second on the Buckeyes with 15 kills, picked up 6 digs and made five blocks in the victory.

Thanks to everyone that came out to The Well last night to watch Orchard Park graduates John Klanac, Mike Stefani and Tom Comfort compete in the NCAA men’s volleyball semifinal championship.

If you missed it, we had a nice little gathering of friends, family, teachers and other supporters there to watch the big match.

Ohio State defeated Penn State three games to one, 25-18, 24-26, 25-22, 25-23, to advance to the National Championship versus UC Santa Barbara on Saturday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m.

Klanac led the Buckeyes with a team-high 16 kills. Tom Comfort had 6 kills for Penn State.

Watch highlights of the match here.

Final Four

Thursday, May 5 at The Well on North Buffalo in Orchard Park at 9 p.m. Match begins at 9:30 p.m.

Join us to watch three Orchard Park High School graduates compete against each other in this year’s NCAA Division I Men’s Volleyball Final Four.

John Klanac (OP ’06) and Mike Stefani (OP ’09) are outside hitters for Ohio State while Tom Comfort (OP ’09) is Penn State’s opposite hitter.

Come out and support the local boys as they display the rich tradition of Orchard Park volleyball on national television.

And no matter who wins, Orchard Park graduate(s) will be in the National Championship to be played on Saturday, May 7.

If you cannot make this event, be sure to catch the match on ESPN2 or online at ESPN3.com.

Read my previous post on the boys heading to the Final Four.

John Klanac

Three Orchard Park High School graduates have helped their collegiate volleyball teams advance to this year’s Final Four to be held in Rec Hall on the the campus of Penn State University on Thursday, May 5 and Saturday, May 7.

John Klanac (OP ’06) and Mike Stefani (OP ’09) are outside hitters on the Ohio State University men’s volleyball team that defeated Loyola-Chicago in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association championship three games to one (22-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-17).

Klanac earned a .500 hitting percentage with a team-high 16 kills and 18.5 points.

Tom Comfort, a 2009 graduate of Orchard Park, is the opposite hitter for the Nittany Lions. In the team’s 3-0 sweep over Springfield College (25-20,25-14,26-24), Comfort earned 11 kills and picked up five defensive digs in the victory.

To add to the excitement of having three OP graduates in the Final Four, Ohio State and Penn State are slated to go head-to-head in the semifinal on Thursday, May 5 at 9 p.m. The squads split their two regular season meetings.

The trip to the Final Four is Klanac’s fourth and the second for both Stefani and Comfort.

The University of Southern California and UC-Santa Barbara are playing in the other semifinal.

Both semifinals and the championship (Saturday, May 7 at 7 p.m.) will be aired on ESPN2 and can be seen on ESPN3.com.

Tom Comfort
Penn State University, Sophomore Opposite Hitter – Men’s volleyball
Orchard Park High School, Class of 2009 – Volleyball, Basketball, Baseball

Tom Comfort

Favorite movie: Billy Madison
Favorite OP hangout: Chestnut Ridge Park
Professional athlete I want as a teammate: Derrick Rose
Favorite former OP teammate: Pat Schwagler and Kyle Robinson
Hidden talent: I can sing well
Favorite vacation spot: Hawaii
I would like to have dinner with: Barbara Walters
What I am doing right now:
On a bus trip to play Ball State and IPFW, and watching Wedding Crashers
Favorite thing about OrchardParkSports.com:
How the site incorporates all the sports and keeps up on ex-OPHS athletes

Tom Comfort

Tom Comfort, a 2009 graduate of Orchard Park High School, earned a match-high 18 kills in #10 Penn State’s 3-1 win (17-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-22) over #5 UC Santa Barbara on Friday, March 11.

Comfort has helped the Nittany Lions to a 15-4 overall record and a 7-0 mark in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association.

Penn State has won 8 of its last nine matches, and Comfort, a six-foot-six opposite hitter, has been a huge factor for the Nittany Lions in that run.

In his first six matches played, Comfort averaged 2.5 kills per set with a .170 hitting percentage. In the last nine matches, the sophomore has earned 3.9 kills per set with a .392 hitting percentage while averaging 14.3 kills per set.

John Klanac

Orchard Park graduate John Klanac helped the Ohio State University men’s volleyball team capture its first win of the 2011 season over Saint Francis University on Saturday, Jan. 15.

Klanac, a redshirt senior, picked up 11 kills with just one error in the sweep (25-16, 25-18, 25-19) over the Red Flash.

The Buckeyes are currently ranked No. 8 in the country.

Watch highlights here:

This story was published in the Dec. 17, 2010 issue of the Orchard Park Press.

Mark Rumschik on The Price is Right

Mark Rumschik’s dream came true on “The Price is Right”.

Literally.

The 2003 Orchard Park High School graduate and his two older brothers loved to watch the program as children, so on a recent trip to California, Rumschik and wife Angela couldn’t resist a chance to be on the popular game show.

The Rumschiks, who are full-time missionaries living in Indianapolis, visited Angela’s family to help raise support for Campus Crusade for Christ. On a day off, they figured they would try their luck on the show.

Having purchased tickets months in advance, the Rumschiks went through a five-hour selection process that included filling out information cards and interviewing with producers.

“That’s the time you have to shine and stand out during this very brief interview,” said Rumschik, who after high school starred on the Ball State University men’s volleyball team.

After the lengthy process was complete, they joined the studio audience of about 350 contestants for a taping of the show that aired on Wednesday, Dec. 8.

Rumschik admitted that the night before the taping, he had a dream that he won a car. So when he heard his name called to “Come on down”, Rumschik reacted exuberantly by running around the audience.

“Going back to when I would watch the show with my brothers, there were a couple things we always said we would do if we ever called on,” said Rumschik. “One of the things is that you would do a victory lap.”

After missing out on a couple chances to get on stage, Rumschik used the strategy of bidding $1 to win a computer system. From there, Rumschik played the game called “10 Chances,” – for an opportunity to win three prizes; a sweet tea brewer, an electric grill and a 2011 Ford Focus.

He took three chances to win the brewer and four to win the grill. With three chances left to win the car, Rumschik guessed incorrectly twice before winning the car by writing down $17,690 on his final opportunity.

In what did not seem possible, Rumschik’s reaction to the win was even more energetic than his entrance.

Rumschik jumped in the air with arms raised and dashed over to the car, where he proceeded to dive in through the open driver’s side window.

“I remember running toward the car and it went through my mind the window was way too small and high up that I’m not going to make it, but my body kept going and did it anyway,” he said.

Rumschik maintains the experience was nothing short of a blessing.

Shortly before attending the show, Rumschik sold his old 2000 Mercury Sable, with over 200,000 miles on it, at a very favorable price to the new owner.

“We blessed him with that and then we got blessed with a brand new car,” said Rumschik. “The whole thing was all God. It’s such a blessing from Him. It’s cool to see how he pours his love out on us.”

Done editing girls volleyball photos from this past fall season. Wow, the new uniforms were a huge improvement over the old ones. Here is a link to the gallery.

Emilee Matthews - Old

Emilee Matthews - New

John Klanac
Redshirt Senior, Ohio State University men’s volleyball
Orchard Park High School, 2006

John Klanac

Dream job: Professional volleyball player
Favorite book:
Buffalo Lockjaw, by Greg Ames
Favorite movie character:
Lloyd Christmas from Dumb and Dumber
Talent I’d like to have:
Shoot a one-timer like Steven Stamkos
Favorite sport other than what I play: Football
Favorite Orchard Park athlete:
2006 OPHS kicker Mike Purtill, automatic from anywhere on the field
Favorite sports team: Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres and Ohio State Buckeyes
Favorite meal: Pizza and wings
Fondest sports memory:
Beating Loyola-Chicago in five games to go to the Final Four
Favorite quote: “Hey guys! oh big gulps huh?…..alright! welp see yah later!” – Lloyd Christmas, Dumb and Dumber

Sophomore libero Trey Cimorelli makes a pass during Wednesday night's loss to Frontier at Eden.

The Orchard Park boys volleyball team fell to Frontier in three straight games, 22-25, 20-25, 16-25, in its bid to capture the Section VI Class A volleyball championship Wednesday night at Eden.

The number-two ranked Quakers were playing increasingly better against Frontier in previous matches, but the top-seeded Falcons came prepared and were too much for Orchard Park.

“They’re a bigger, stronger team,” Orchard Park coach Walt Stefani said after the match. “I don’t think I’ve seen them play like that. They came ready. They scouted us pretty well and they blocked better than they had before.”

According to senior setter Peter Brady, the Quakers did not execute.

“If we executed, we would have won a game,” he said. “We knew what they were doing every time. It was just a matter of digging it. They’re a very good team. They’re the best team in Western New York.”

David Mellerski

David Mellerski
Senior, Orchard Park High School
Volleyball, Tennis

Favorite Orchard Park athlete: Matt McCormick
Favorite school subject: Accounting
Favorite sports team:
Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Bandits
Favorite meal:
Chicken finger subs, chocolate Frosty
Dream job: Ice cream creator
Favorite TV show: Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Hobbies other than sports:
Play the piano, fish, hang out with friends
Favorite number and why: 67 – In a 50/50 drawing at a volleyball tourney, I won 67 dollars
Favorite quote: “Money can’t buy happiness, but it can finance a very extensive search.”

Junior Maddie Nowakowski

The Quaker football team started off Orchard Park’s post-season with an impressive win over Williamsville North last Friday night, 51-7.

Three more teams will begin post-season play before the end of the week starting with the girls soccer team, who will host Niagara Wheatfield Thursday night at 6 p.m.

The field hockey team will host West Seneca West Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. while the boys soccer team will host West Seneca West the same day at 3:30 p.m.

The football will play Jamestown at home Friday night starting at 7 p.m.

The volleyball teams begin their post-season next week on Wednesday, Nov. 3.

Sophomore libero Trey Cimorelli

In a battle of boys volleyball powerhouses, Orchard Park (ranked 3rd in WNY) visited Eden (2nd) on Wednesday night and dropped the Raiders in five games, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18, 24-26, 25-11.

Senior setter Peter Brady earned 58 assists to go along with 28 digs. Junior outside hitter Matt McCormick earned 23 kills.

The win came a night after the Quakers defeated visiting Lancaster Tuesday evening, 25-14, 24-26, 25-18, 25-8.

Brady picked up 42 assists while McCormick made 15 kills. Sophomore libero Trey Cimorelli earned 18 digs.

The victory over Lancaster gave Orchard Park a mark of 9 wins and 3 losses in ECIC Division I.

The Quakers are ranked second in the upcoming Class A boys volleyball tournament.

Senior Kelly Rand

After sweeping Starpoint, 25-15, 25-13, 25-9, on Wednesday evening, the Orchard Park girls volleyball team won in three straight games over West Seneca West Thursday night, 25-17, 25-17, 25-16.

Prior to Thursday’s senior night contest, the team presented the Susan G. Komen Foundation with a check for $1,055 that the girls raised through a season-long bake sale.

“I think it really bonds us,” senior Kelly Rand said of the team’s efforts to raise funds for the cause. “It keeps things in perspective. It’s nice to step away from volleyball and do something for the greater good with your teammates that you’re spending all this time with.”

–

Congratulations to seniors Emilee Matthews, Natalie Meyer, Kelly Rand and Jessie Zdrowak.

Freshman libero Christine Zizzi has been an important factor in helping improve the team's passing and defense.

A loss to Hamburg, 21-25, 17-25, 22-25, on Tuesday night gave the Orchard Park girls volleyball team its fourth consecutive loss, but the players continue to make strides.

“We play hard and we’re getting better,” freshman setter Noelle Poloncarz said after the match on Tuesday. “Our passing is really getting better compared to what it was.”

The team will host Williamsville North on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. The Lady Quakers fell to the Spartans, 16-25, 16-25, 23-25, back on September 7.

Rebecca Higgins

Rebecca Higgins
Freshman, Orchard Park High School
Volleyball, Basketball

Favorite tv shows: What Not to Wear
Talent I’d like to have: The ability to sing
Favorite sport other than what I play: Football
Favorite Orchard Park athlete: Natalie Meyer, Tyler Eagleton, Peter Brady
Favorite sports team: Penn State
Favorite OP sport to attend: Boys volleyball and Football
Best concert I attended: Have not attended a concert yet
Favorite place in OP to eat: Panera Bread
Favorite meal: Pasta and salad
I want to visit: Cruise to Europe

Coach Matt Lexner and members of the Orchard Park boys volleyball team celebrate the victory over rival Hamburg Monday night.

Despite being blown out in the first game of Monday night’s match against Hamburg, 25-9, the Orchard Park boys volleyball team battled back to win three straight games, 28-26, 25-21, and 26-24.

The Quakers trailed early in each game, but pulled through with the victory by effectively rallying and playing better defense than their opponents.

“Defense was huge,” said sophomore libero Trey Cimorelli, who picked up 27 digs in the win. “Since the beginning of the season, the coaches said that we’re going to be a defensive team and sticking to rallies and winning the points.”

Freshman setter Noelle Poloncarz

After dropping the first two games of Monday’s match at Lancaster, 19-25 and 15-25, the Orchard Park girls volleyball team battled back to win games three (25-15) and four (25-15) to force a fifth and final game.

However, the Lady Quakers could not finish off the victory on the road losing the deciding game, 16-25.

“I think it boosts our confidence,” senior Natalie Meyer said of Monday’s match. “We’re such a young team. To play at such a high level and take it to five (games), it shows a lot about our team.”

The team will host North Tonawanda on Wednesday, September 22 at 7 p.m.