The Shenendehowa girls’ volleyball team cemented its dominance in Section 2 Class AAA on Friday, sweeping No. 2 seed Saratoga Springs in straight sets to claim its sixth consecutive sectional title. The top-seeded Mustangs delivered a clinical performance at Saratoga Springs High School, winning 25-13, 25-14, and 25-16. This victory not only secures their place in the state tournament but also highlights a squad that has mastered the art of sustained excellence under the new six-classification system, with their last four titles all coming in Class AAA.
Mustangs dismantle Saratoga Springs with a balanced, multi-point offensive attack
Coach Lori Kessler attributed the team’s success to a complex offensive structure that neutralizes opposing defenses. By running a 6-2 formation with two elite setters, Shenendehowa forces opponents to track three simultaneous hitting options, eliminating the ability to key on a single star. “It makes it so fun because the defense doesn’t really have one person to focus on,” Kessler noted. This strategic depth allowed the Mustangs to spread the ball effectively, keeping Saratoga Springs’ blockers off-balance throughout the match.
The statistical output reflected this balanced approach, with no single player carrying the entire load. Sophomores Melanie Tubbs and Claire Siska combined for 18 kills, while junior Hadley Ennist provided a spark with 10 kills and 11 assists. Senior Ava Los contributed five kills, showcasing the depth of the roster. Ennist emphasized the evolution of the team, noting, “It’s a completely new team than what we’ve had in the past. It’s a ton of younger girls and some seniors,” signaling a transitional year that has already produced historic results for the program.
Source: Yahoo Sports
