This was already the most successful season in Westhill girls volleyball history, regardless of what took place at Glens Falls Civic Center during this weekend’s New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class B championships.
The Warriors’ sweep of Homer in the Section III final Nov. 11 was sweet enough. But then the Warriors went beyond that point, claiming a five-set epic over Section V champion Honeoye Falls-Lima at Chittenango High School three days later to earn a trip to the state final four.
Now Westhill took aim at the state title. In the first-day format on Nov. 21, the four remaining teams – Westhill, Owego (Section IV), John Glenn (Section XI) and Hudson Falls (Section I) would each face each other in a round-robin format, adding up to six sets. Whichever teams had the two best records would advance to the state final.
Opening against Owego, the Warriors kept both sets close, but lost them by margins of 25-21 and 25-20. Then, needing both sets against Hudson Falls, Westhill got them, claiming the opener 25-21 and pulling out a 27-25 decision in the second set for the sweep.
Since John Glenn also had a 2-2 record (sweeping Hudson Falls but falling twice to Owego), the two sides would determine the remaining spot in the state final. Needing at least one set, Westhill struggled in the first, falling 25-10, and watched John Glenn also take the second set 25-21 to advance.
The Warriors will see just four seniors graduate, but that includes top setter Delaney Martin, plus hitters Melissa Newcomb and Olivia Sauro along with Liz Kelly.
A strong cast is back for 2016, though, with Mackenzie Martin, Montana Gedney and Brigid Heinrich just finishing their freshman campaigns. Also, Bridget Lougen, Leah Diefendorf, Sophia Sgroi, Isabella Radio-Rodriguez and Emma Bryant could return next fall.
