Earlier in the season when the Cranston East and Cranston West boys’ volleyball teams met, it was an absolute battle, as the two teams traded a pair of games before the Falcons came through in a decisive fifth game to defend their home turf.

But more than just bragging rights were on the line on Friday night for the two rivals, with first place in the subdivision up for grabs – both the ’Bolts and Falcons came in at 11-2 in Division-II-South.

But this time, it was East’s turn to defend its home turf – and it did.

The ’Bolts rolled to a 3-1 victory in the season finale for both teams, moving into a tie for first place with West Warwick at 12-2 to close the season.

The loss dropped West into third behind the ’Bolts and Wizards.

The win for East does mean that it will get a bye into the quarterfinals, while West will have to play its way in with a first round match against a lower seed.

Both Cranston teams will undoubtedly be division contenders with the playoffs approaching this week.

The first round was set to get underway on Wednesday night, while the quarterfinals are scheduled for Friday. A bracket for the playoffs was unavailable at press time.