Photos: Birds Claw to Sectional Title, Glide to Regional Final
Saturday’s thrilling Section 2 Class C sectional championship match between Voorheesville and Lake George was a nail-biter until the end when the Blackbirds, trailing at first, pulled out a victory — shrieking and leaping with joy. After dispersing Potsdam on Tuesday, the birds will travel to play Saranac Lake of Section 7 at Saranac Central High School on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the regional finals, hoping to make it to state competition.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
On Saturday, Voorheesville’s Emily Bablin gets low to bump the ball after a Lake George serve in the fourth set. Bablin had a personal high of 24 kills and 10 service points, and was also named Colonial Council Most Valuable Player.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
The Blackbirds, who trailed two sets to none, came all the way back to win in a five-set match: 23-25, 23-25, 26-24, 25-21, 25-23. Splitting the defense, Victoria Konicki flips the ball past Lake George’s Alysia Kane (12) and Mikayla Duff (16). Konicki had 11 kills and four blocks.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
It’s total elation, as the last Lake George shot got called “out” Emily Bablin, left, falls to her knees in happiness as her teammates come together, jumping up and down, and hugging, to celebrate clinching their fifth sectional title, fourth under Ashley Turski. Describing her team’s heart as the girls fought back to win, Coach Turski said afterwards, “They started believing in themselves and each other, and never lost sight of our goal and why we were there. It’s a night they’ll never forget.”
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
On Tuesday, traveling on their momentum, the girls had an easy win, playing Potsdam of Section 10 at Massena High School where they sailed to victory in three straight sets in the regional semi-finals: 25-13, 25-11, 25-9. The Blackbirds have played 21 games this season and lost only one. In Tuesday’s game, Amelia Rowland chips the ball over the net.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Coming together: Voorheesville's Sophie Whiteman (14) and Leureah Cummings (3) prepare to bump the ball as Rowland is at the ready. Whiteman had seven assists and Cummings had five kills.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Cocked and ready: The Blackbirds’ Katy Bablin looks up at the ball and is ready to cork a spike past Potsdam’s Camryn Mangual in the second set. Bablin had 12 assists, nine service points, five aces, and six kills.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Crouched for combat: Voorheesville’s Leureah Cummings (3), Marie Julian (11), and Emily Bablin (16) get into their defensive postures for a Potsdam serve in the third set.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Ball up: The Blackbirds’ Sophie Whiteman serves up the ball in the second set toward the Potsdam players. Whiteman had seven assists in the win.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Flick of the wrist: The Blackbirds’ Marie Julian spikes the ball past a Potsdam player in the third set. Julian had 13 service points, nine aces, and eight kills.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
On her toes: Voorheesville’s Emily Bablin stands on tiptoe to bump the ball from a Potsdam serve in the third set of the Blackbirds’ straight-set, Class C state regional semifinal victory at Massena High School: 25-13, 25-11, 25-9. Bablin had nine kills in the win.