The second-seeded Cranston West boys volleyball team fell to Lincoln 3-1 in the Division II finals last week at Rhode Island College, as the Lions wrapped up an unlikely run to the title.

Lincoln started the season 1-6 and looked outmatched as a new club in Division II and was also handed two defeats by the Falcons in that span.

The Lions would catch fire from there and win 11 of their next 12, including the title clash in which it would fall behind early.

West cruised to a 25-19 win in the opening set, but Lincoln would take over from there, winning sets 2-4 by scores of 25-13, 25-15, 25-17.

“They just started serving harder and hitting harder. They were swinging away, they had nothing to lose and they played like it. They played really well,” said West coach Jennifer Ferencko of Lincoln’s comeback.

Despite the loss, it was another strong outing by Aidan Hay and Christian Mak, who have been the Falcons’ most potent threats this spring. It was West’s first time to the title game since 2019, which was also the last championship it won.

With a large group of seniors this year and a successful regular season, the Falcons had legitimate championship aspirations but simply lost steam against the division’s hottest team.

“It was a very strong group this year and they were excited to get back to the championship. We hadn’t been here since 2019 so they were ready to go. The group of seniors really wanted it, but it just didn’t happen. I’ve worked with them since they were freshmen and they’ve grown so much. I’ve become so close to that senior class so it’s a tough loss,” said Ferencko.

After a run of success in Division II, the Falcons were moved up to Division I last spring and struggled. The Falcons wanted to prove this year that they were not only the best team in Division II, but that they were worthy of another shot at competing in the state’s toughest division.

“It’s extremely important for us (to reach the championship) because we want to get back to DI and I think that we proved that we belong there. That’s what we’re looking for, we want to get back up in DI and our kids proved they could be there,” said Ferencko.

With guys like Hay, Lucian Spremullo, Thomas Pilderian and Collin Khanjari set to graduate, Ferencko will be relying on her returning juniors and underclassmen to help the Falcons get primed for another big year next spring.

“We have a lot of upcoming kids so it’s going to be a question of who fits where. We have Christian Mak, Logan (Reed), Chris Harvey, a freshman setter who will be a sophomore. I don’t think we will be missing much,” said Ferencko.