High school girls volleyball programs have been spiking it rich in New York

We're just a bit more than a month away from the two days at the Glens Falls Civic Center in which New York will crown its girls volleyball championships in classes AA, A, B, C and D.

If what has happened during the regular season is any indication, there will be plenty of interesting plot twists between now and Nov. 21-22.

Section 1 sweep comes as surprise
They're arguably the two best teams in their respective classes in Section 1. Their schools also happen to be located in the very same town – Cortlandt – adding even more spice to their match last week.

The fact that Class B member Panas (Cortlandt Manor) downed previously undefeated Class A power Hendrick Hudson may have come as a bit of a surprise (at least in terms of the rankings). But the real surprising part was how the Panthers won – sweeping the Sailors 25-22, 25-15, 25-18.



Sophomore outside hitter Yvette Burcescu powered Panas with 30 kills. Panas, coached by Joe Felipe, also received strong offensive efforts from Melissa Lussier and Bridget Walsh.

Burcescu is the latest member of her family to star for the Panthers. Oldest sister Vivian, also a hitter, went on to play at Virginia. Another sister, Brigitte, is a sophomore outside hitter at Boston University.

Yvette Burcescu named MaxPreps/AVCA Player of the Week in New York

Powerful Sutherland eyes repeat feat
Defending Class A state champion Sutherland (Pittsford) looks poised to take a run at another title.

The Panthers have looked dominant in rolling to an 11-0 start. Savannah Bothner and Andrea Allen have been two of the key cogs for Sutherland. Bothner is the daughter of Nazareth College Athletic Director Peter Bothner. Allen, a senior setter, is a stabilizing presence for the Panthers.

Portville survives scare
Another defending state champ, Class D's Portville, survived a scare to keep its record intact. Portville needed five sets to defeat Ellicottville. Portville then defeated Randolph in three sets in its next match.



Setter Brooke Decker has been one of Portville's standouts this season, along with Lydia Lukomski, Sierra Keim and Cammie McCracken on offense and Erica Carlson on defense.

Ward Melville, Connetquot overpower Suffolk foes
There is no shortage of powerhouse programs in Suffolk County (Section 11) this season.

At the top of the standings in both League 1 -- Ward Melville (East Setauket) (11-0) – and League 2 – Connetquot (Bohemia) (12-0) – are a pair of unbeaten teams. Ward Melville has won each of its matches in three sets. Alex Stein, Olivia Hynes and Gabby Pirrung have sparked the Patriots' offense and Claire O'Hern the defense.

Connetquot has won all but one match in straight sets, with a 3-1 win against Hauppauge in mid-September the lone exception. Lauren Ballinger, MacKenzie Cole, Taylor Cole, Nicole Migliozzi and Cassandra Patsos have enjoyed strong seasons for Connetquot.

Clarence beats the best
Clarence, from the Buffalo area, defeated three of the state's top programs in winning the Eden Tournament, defeating Portville, Immaculata Academy and Chautauqua Lake. It also took over sole possession of first in the ECIC I league standings by sweeping fellow frontrunner Orchard Park.

Setter Maddie Christopher and libero Jaide Cummings have enjoyed strong seasons along with Karley King and Meghan Neelon.



Multimedia news and sports editor and producer Joe Lombardi is director of media initiatives and managing editor of the DailyVoice.com, as well as the primary author of the most recent edition of "Lacrosse for Dummies." Follow Joe on Twitter @Joe_Lombardi.