The Staples High School boys volleyball team overpowered Southington tonight 3-0 to capture the Class L state championship and finish a perfect
season in a match played in West Hartford. 
The Staples team poses for a victory photo after tonight’s win in West Hartford. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lauren Siegert for WestportNow.com
Staples has now won six out of the last seven state championships with coach Bruce Betts at the helm.
The top-seeded Wreckers defeated the sixth-seeded Blue Knights 25-17 in the first game and followed 25-18 and 25-20 to complete the match.
The undefeated Staples team was led by senior tri-captain veterans Ben King, Will Richardson and Austin Siegert. King and Richardson were previously voted First Team All-FCIAC hitters and Siegert was named Second Team All-FCIAC setter. Also graduating is senior Tom D’Agostino.
A busload of Staples fans accompanied the team to the showdown at Conard High School in West Hartford and delivered deafening cheers throughout the game to counter a boisterious Blue Knights cheering section.
Westport was considered the heavy favorite to win after beating Trumbull 3-0 Wednesday night.
The team appears to be in good shape for next year as well with many juniors expected to return including Setter Peter Hlawitschka, Middle Hitters Charlie Wieser and Ari Sinay, Outside Hitter Jackson Lesser and defensive player Max Shelman.
