Connetquot girls advance to state volleyball final
Connetquot's Mackenzie Taylor celebrates after winning a point during a match against Victor in the first round of the Class AA championships at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. Credit: Errol Anderson
GLENS FALLS, N.Y — It was the expectation at the beginning of autumn, and now it’s a reality.
The Connetquot girls volleyball team, fresh off another undefeated season on Long Island, advanced on Saturday to the state Class AA final after a 5-1 showing in round-robin play at Cool Insuring Arena.
Led by the stellar offensive play of middle hitter Cassandra Patsos and the stifling defense of libero Daniella Balsano, the Thunderbirds will play for their second title in three years on Sunday at 10 a.m. against Clifton Park Shenendehowa.
Every member of the team had some court time on Saturday.
“It’s awesome that every kid was able to get in, to have the opportunity to experience court time,” said coach Justin Hertz. “It’s very valuable for these kids moving forward. They did a good job in a very nerve-wracking atmosphere.”
Patsos, Balsano, Mackenzie Cole, Mackenzie Taylor and Nicole Migliozzi were chiefly responsible for those big leads, putting together a well-rounded performance in their third consecutive appearance to the state semifinals.
The 2016 state runner-up opened with two close sets against Victor, wins of 25-17 and 25-18. Two easy wins over Kingston (25-7, 25-11) allowed Hertz to play everyone.
Balsano said the key came defensively.
“We definitely had to have a lot of focus, focus on our blocking and defense especially,” she said.
Connetquot (18-0) entered the final two sets against Shenendehowa knowing it would be its opponent in Sunday’s final, allowing the Thunderbirds to get an understanding of what it’ll take to play well in the championship.
They won the first set, 25-12, but dropped the second, 25-18. The first set showcased the overall might of Connetquot, while the second was a hiccup that included getting in most of Hertz’s bench.
“I think it helps us strategize and gives us an idea of what we need to work on, if we need to make changes,” Patsos said. “It’s a good heads up.”
Hertz agreed and said he used the match as a means of planning for the final.
“It’s huge,” he said. “We could go into that match and say it was a feeler for what tomorrow’s going to bring. It’s almost like a scouting match for both teams.”
Connetquot’s goal this season has revolved around earning back the state title that it won in 2015 but lost last season at the hands of Penfield.
With a full night to think about what needs to be done against Shenendehowa, the Thunderbirds’ seven seniors — Patsos, Balsano, Cole, Taylor, Migliozzi, Taylor Konzen and Skyla Schoppmeyer — are gearing up to play their final varsity match together.
And it’s something Patsos is already reflecting on.
“It’s crazy to think that this is the last time I’m going to be on the court with these girls,” she said. “Everyone on this team has made this season so amazing, and I just want to finish it with them.”
The goal since the beginning was to finish with a state title, and now they have that chance.
