Photos: Blackbirds Fly to States -- Again

The Blackbirds were one match away from a return trip to the state’s Final Four pool play in Glens Falls this weekend — and they clinched it, becoming regional champs for the second year in a row. The Blackbirds faced off against Section 10’s Canton Golden Bears at Massena High School in Massena on Saturday. Voorheesville played strong and won, three sets to one: 25-9, 25-10, 26-28, 25-10. Saturday, the Birds will take on defending state champion Portville from section 6; Millbrook from section 9, last year’s state runner-up; and Mattituck from section 11.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Flying back to states: Voorheesville’s Victoria Konicki uses the tip of her finger to flick the ball past Canton’s Sydney Lorenc in the first set of the Class C regional final at Massena High School. Voorheesville won — the second year in a row as regional champions — and on Saturday will be in the state’s Final Four pool play.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Eyes closed: Blackbird Victoria Konicki lunges for a Canton serve during the third set. Konicki, a senior and team co-captain, stands 6 feet, 3 inches tall. She had 10 kills, four blocks, and four digs.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Just missed: Voorheesville's Katy Bablin just gets her hands on a potential block during the third set but the ball fell on the Blackbirds’ side. Bablin had eight service points, five kills, 12 assists, and four digs.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Leading the way: Voorheesville's Jada Akers was an integral part of the Blackbirds’ serving game; she had 17 service points, five aces, and six assists.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Good set: Blackbird Hannah Lewis helps set the ball for a teammate to spike in the fourth set. Lewis had one kill, two assists, and a dig.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Helping her Birds dive back to states, Amelia Rowland goes for a dig as the Golden Bears’ serve falls just in front of her. Rowland had 10 service points, three aces, and six digs.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Fingertip away: Voorheesville’s Hannah Boehlke leaps up to attempt a block from a Canton shot during the first set. Boehlke had two blocks.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Teamwork: Voorheesville’s Marie Julian, left, and Katy Bablin both go for a Canton serve during the first set of the Blackbirds’ Class C regional final win on Saturday afternoon in Massena. Julian had 22 service points, nine aces, 12 kills, a block, and three digs while teammate Bablin had eight service points, five kills, 12 assists, and four digs.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Putting away a winner: Voorheesville’s Lindsay Blair spikes home a winner with a flick of her wrist during the third set. Blair had four service points and one dig.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Chip shot: Voorheesville’s Victoria Konicki flicks the ball over Canton’s Sydney Lorenc attempted block in the third set. Konicki had 10 kills, four blocks, and four digs.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Adding more hardware: Voorheesville captains Katy Bablin, left, and Amelia Rowland smile while carrying the Class C regional plaque back to their happy teammates during Saturday’s game against Canton in Massena High School.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

All out: Voorheesville’s Marie Julian has her arms fully extended to get her forearms on the ball after a Canton serve in the fourth set. Julian had 22 service points, nine aces, 12 kills, a block, and three digs.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Moving onto the state’s Final Four, the Voorheesville Blackbirds show off their regional plaque as parents snap the back-to-back regional champions. The Birds will take part in the pool play against the three other school at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls.