Vatican Assassins Break Volleyball Curse, reclaim Recess Title

The top-seeded Vatican Assassins won their third Recess League championship with a 21-13, 21-15 volleyball win over the Rabid Dogs in the final round of a four-team playoff.

The lime green clad champions displayed excellent teamwork, consistent serving, and minimal unforced errors throughout the night on their way to their third title win in five seasons. Prior to this season's playoffs, the Vatican Assassins had managed to win only one volleyball match throughout their veteran stint in the league including a loss in last season's semifinals. This season, however, an improved effort in the playoffs towards minimizing unforced errors and executing fundamentals proved key to victory as the Vatican Assassins did not drop a single game.

The Vatican Assassins dispatched the fourth-seeded Recess League rookies, Starchild, 21-17 and 21-9 (best-of-three game match) in the first playoff semifinal. The other semifinal pitted second-seeded Rabid Dogs against the third-seeded Gang Green. The Rabid Dogs took advantage of their mistake-prone opponents to win the first game 21-12. In the second game, the Rabid Dogs built a 17-9 lead only to see Gang Green storm back to tie the score at 17. Gang Green's momentum halted right there, however, and the Rabid Dogs were able close out the match with a 21-18 win behind the serving skills of Terri Randall.

Game one of the championship match between the Vatican Assassins and Rabid Dogs featured a small Vatican Assassin lead until winning four straight points behind the serving of captain, Matt Kelly, to set up game point at 20-13. After the Vatican Assassins clinched the first game, it was the Rabid Dogs who established the early lead in game two. After falling behind 11-9, the Vatican Assassins stormed back to tie game two at 11 and never looked back as they took a commanding 18-12 lead before sealing the title with a 21-15 win.