Photos: Birds Boogie
After Voorheesville lost the first set in the Section 2 Class C championship on Saturday evening at Saratoga High School in Saratoga Springs, 23-25, the Birds spread their wings and showed their talons to sweep the next three sets — 25-10, 25-17, 25-14 — to capture back-to-back sectional titles against Fonda-Fultonville. The Birds moved onto the regional semifinals in a rematch of last year regional final against Section 7’s Saranac Lake where the Birds won three sets to one — 25-13, 18-25, 25-15, 25-2 — to move on to Saturday’s regional final against Section 10’s Canton at Massena High School at 3 p.m. This puts the Birds one flight closer to a return trip, on Nov. 17 and 18, to the state competition.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Good set up: Voorheesville's Katy Bablin has the ball on her fingertips as she passes to a teammate who spiked home a winner in the sectional championship game. In Saturday’s match, Babin had 11 service points, four kills and 18 assists; then, in Tuesday’s win, she had 12 service points, three aces, three kills, nine digs, and 13 assists.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Teamwork: Blackbirds' Amelia Rowland, left, and Julia Frances come together in efforts to bump the ball from a Fonda-Fultonville serve. Rowland had 14 service points, seven digs, and six aces while Frances had a kill, and two digs in Saturday’s game; then, on Tuesday, Rowland had nine service points and two aces and Frances had two digs.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
It was pure joy as the Birds made the final point and Bablin, Marie Julian, and Victoria Konicki — along with Rowland, Lindsay Blair, and Hannah Lewis — all come together in a celebratory hug on the court.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Concentration: Voorheesville's Marie Julian looks to bump a Saranac Lake serve on Tuesday during the first set. Julian had 22 service points, four aces, and seven kills on Tuesday and had 10 service points, four kills, two aces, one block and two digs in the championship game.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Hand and eye: Blackbird Victoria Konicki bumps the ball in the first set. She had 12 kills, seven blocks, and a ace in Tuesday’s win, and on Saturday, she had 11 service points, 16 kills, and seven blocks.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Fingertip tap: Voorheesville’s Victoria Konicki arches a shot past Fonda-Fultonville’s Cassey Knowlton in the second set. Konicki had 11 service points, 16 kills, and seven blocks.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Little flick: Voorheesville’s Lindsay Blair taps the ball past Fonda-Fultonville’s Cassey Knowlton during the first set of the Blackbirds three-set-to-one championship victory: 23-25, 25-10, 25-17, 25-14. Blair had two kills and a dig in the win.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Toss up: Voorheesville’s Marie Julian watches the ball as she prepares to serve during the fourth set. Julian had 10 service points, four kills, two aces, one block, and two digs.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
All smiles: After winning the sectional title, the Blackbirds pose with patches in hand. Voorheesville entered the state competition on Tuesday evening at Gloversville High School for the regional semifinal against Saranac Lake. The Blackbirds won their second straight sectional title.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Hiya! Voorheesville’s Lindsay Blair sends off a serve in the third set in the Blackbirds’ win. Blair had one kill, two aces, and three digs.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Form is key: Voorheesville’s Katy Bablin bumps the ball during the fourth set of the regional semifinal game. Bablin had 12 service points, three aces, three kills, nine digs, and 13 assists.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Where do I want to place this? Voorheesville’s Marie Julian, with the ball on the tips of her fingers, looks toward the Red Storm’s defense to place a serve during the fourth set. Julian had 22 service points, four aces, and seven kills.