Glenn falls in state volleyball semifinals
Cassidy Evans of Glenn hits the ball during a match against Owego in the state Class B girls volleyball semifinals in Glen Falls on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. Credit: Errol Anderson
GLENS FALLS, N.Y. — Jen Breneisen played each point with exuberance, celebrating each point like it might be her last in a Glenn girls volleyball uniform.
As Glenn’s deficit grew in its final set of Saturday’s state Class B semifinal pool play at the Cool Insuring Arena, Breneisen, the Knights’ lone senior, was just looking to enjoy her final moments on the court.
And she did, evidenced by her jumps and fist pumps after each of her four kills in the last set.
Her efforts weren’t enough, though, as the Knights fell to 0-6 in pool play, eliminating them from the tournament. Owego and Hudson Falls meet in Sunday’s championship match at 2 p.m.
“I ended the way I liked,” Breneisen said. “I wanted to end with a fun, happy team. The girls, they made the team.”
Glenn (14-1) was competitive in its first two sets against Cazenovia but dropped both, 25-22, 25-21. The Knights received contributions up and down the roster, as Cassidy Evans’ defense propelled an offense led by Mia Cergol, Caroline Miller. Mia Sansonelli and Caroline Garretson.
Things fell off from there, though, as Glenn struggled to remain in system and run an efficient offense.
“We had a lot to work on, and we still have a lot to work on, but they really came together as a team throughout the whole season,” said first-year coach Nick Tremaroli. “We were really able to pull together a lot of things we wanted to fix.”
Tremaroli said coaching Breneisen this fall was a privilege, citing her leadership skills and work ethic.
“She’s like the mother figure of the team,” he said. “We all look up to her and appreciate what she’s contributed to the team.”
Breneisen will be the only player graduating, leaving Glenn in an enviable place next season with a plethora of returning starters. Breneisen thinks the sky’s the limit.
“I think they’re going to be great,” she said. “They’re only losing me, and I think I contributed enough, but I think the success was as a whole.”
Showing their admiration for their role model, the Knights continually looked Breneisen’s way in the final set of the day, hoping for her to go out with a flourish.
“They wanted to give her a last run,” Tremaroli said. “She had a great season. I’ve only known her for this one season, but she plays with a lot of heart and always wants to be the first person on the court.”
