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Haldane Repeats as Section 1 Volleyball Champs
Blue Devils set sights on NYSPHSAA title
by Ray Gallagher
 | | Megan Lyons looks to score for Haldane enroute to the teams Section 1 championship |
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Remember these names. You'll probably be hearing a lot about them in the coming weeks as they embark upon some unfinished business on the state volleyball scene.
Missy Gannon, Jenn Cotennec, Meghan Spratt, Liz Skrelja, Michelle Cotennec, Rachel Flaherty, Brittney Fleming, Jen Lombardo, Megan Lyons, Avery Zuvic, Irina Impellitiere, Danielle Etta and Katie McConville have defended Haldane's Section 1 Class D volleyball title with invincible ease, losing just two games this season during an 18- match unbeaten streak, including a championship sweep of Keio last Saturday.
But it's the potential state championship that has all of Haldane abuzz. After losing in the state finals in 2005, coach Tony Caldiero knows the level of competition will begin to accelerate to great heights over the course of the coming days, starting with the Section 11 champion this coming Wednesday at Pelham High School (5pm) against Shelter Island. Caldiero is hopeful his lady Blue Devils can keep pace. The Blue Devils looked sharp last week, making short work of Hamilton (25-18, 25-11, 25-13) in Thursday's sectional semis
before taking down the Keio Academy in Saturday's championship, sweeping the Unicorns 25-18, 25-10 and 25-10.
If their were a school district in Section 1 familiar with girl's state and sectional titles, Haldane would be it, having hung a bunch of basketball and volleyball hardware in its hallowed halls. If anything, last year's losing experience in the state title tilt to Randolph has helped fuel the fire within this talent-laden outfit.
Keio actually had the Blue Devils in an awkward position, leading 14-13 in the first game. However, Haldane's superior serving and ferocious hitting drove the points home consistently. Flaherty excelled, setting up 29 points and serving for 13. She is three assists shy of 500 for the season. Lombardo (7 kills), Lyons (9 kills), McConville (7 kills), Fleming (3 kills), Gannon (3 kills) and Skrelja (2 kills) put the hammer down consistently, wearing out the Unicorns like they did Hamilton and every other opponent they've faced this season.
Lyons has been as dominant as any hitter in Section 1, racking up nine kills per game and 153 in all. She also leads the team with 41 aces. Lombardo has also topped the century mark with 116. Etta, who does the grunt work, leads the team with 197 digs. Coach Caldiero said that the
four seniors who have been with him for 14 years collectively have left behind an incredible legacy. He said, "These girls are tremendous athletes who I have been blessed to coach. We never discuss expectations but it was understood that we wanted to build on last year's success." "Experience has been our biggest factor and the older girls have embraced the younger girls to buy into the program's philosophies.
For more Haldane volleyball photos, visit www.printroom.com/pro/ yourdirectrays to catch a view of the action.
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