Shenendehowa girls' volleyball continues Section 2 title streak

SARATOGA SPRINGS - The Shenendehowa girls' volleyball team boasts a powerhouse up front, with several weapons the Mustangs can call on to make an impact.

In Friday's Section 2 Class AAA championship, Shenendehowa's potent offense was the focus once again as the top-seeded Mustangs swept past No. 2 Saratoga Springs in straight sets 25-13, 25-14, 25-16, at Saratoga Springs High School.

"It makes it so fun because the defense doesn't really have one person to focus on," Shenendehowa coach Lori Kessler said. "They have to focus on three hitting options at all times, and running a 6-2 with two great setters, they're spreading it out. It's such a great part of our offense."

Shenendehowa sophomores Melanie Tubbs and Claire Siska combined for 18 kills, junior Hadley Ennist added 10 kills and 11 assists, and senior Ava Los chipped in five kills.

Shenendehowa, the top-ranked team in the state Class AAA poll, pushed its sectional title win streak to six with. The four most recent championships have come in Class AAA since the state expanded to a six-classification system.

"It's a completely new team than what we've had in the past," Ennist said. "It's a ton of younger girls and some seniors. It's just such a big mix and honestly, we're doing a great job together. It's so fun to be able to play with such a variety of ages and abilities out there."

Shenendehowa trailed 6-5 in the second set, but used a pair of runs to gain control. The Mustangs used a 7-0 spurt to grab a 12-6 lead, and Ennist set up sophomore Leah Alfandre for a kill to cap a 5-1 run which provided Shenendehowa its first double-digit lead of the set, 17-7.

"Those were really big for us, especially in a game this competitive," Ennist said. "If you do get into a little bit of a rut, you still have so much time to come out of it, and I think we did a really great job of getting that lead."

Shenendehowa freshman setter Kyli Kessler, the coach's daughter, turned in a stellar all-around performance. Kessler finished with 19 assists, 12 service points, including a pair of aces, and nine digs.

"She works hard year-round on her game," Lori Kessler said of her daughter. "I think that she really wanted to prove herself this season, and I think that her being surrounded by the girls, by the great passing and the great hitters, makes her job a little bit easier for her. But regardless, she's still an everyday hard worker that if something feels off, she's the first one out there that wants to fix it and make it better for everybody."

Digs Shenendehowa sophomore defensive specialist Avery Young recorded.

Kills Saratoga junior standout outside hitter Ali Sherman totaled.

The Mustangs (17-0) will take on the Section 3 winner in a regional final at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School.

The Blue Streaks end their season with an 11-7 showing.