BERNE — The Berne-Knox-Westerlo girls’ volleyball team has been playing well lately, winning its host tournament on Oct. 4, and then beating Middleburgh in straight sets (25-9, 25-17, and 25-14) on Oct. 8.

BKW defended its house against four opponents on Oct. 4, winning the 2nd Annual Bulldog Blast Invitational Volleyball Tournament.

The Bulldogs swept pool play with an 8-0 record, but stumbled against the Jesters of Emma Willard in the first set of the championship finals, falling behind early, and falling short in their comeback, 23 to 25. After controlling the second set, 25 to 13, the Bulldogs and Jesters engaged in a winner-take-all rush to 15 points in the deciding third set. The host Bulldogs won, 15 to 7.

The Bulldogs were led by all-around play of tournament MVP, junior co-captain, middle hitter Shannon Stone, and the serving and defense of junior libero Christina Grippin, who was a tournament All-Star.

Here are BKW’s full results in pool play from the Bulldog Blast Invitational:

— Defeated Albany Leadership Charter High School for Girls, 25-23, and 25-12;

— Defeated Cambridge, 25-20, and 25-13;

— Defeated Bishop Maginn, 25-15, and 25-12; and

— Defeated Emma Willard, 25-19, and 25-9.

Behind several strong all-around performances, BKW swept the Middleburgh Knights at home on Oct. 8.

The Bulldogs (2-10, 7-10) were led again by Stone, who registered nine kills, eight blocks, six aces, four digs, and 16 of 16 on passing. Sophomore setter Michelle Ferriano added eight aces on 32 of 32 on serving, and registered 10 assists. Senior Co-Captain Anna White had six digs, three aces, and two blocks, while junior setter Michaela Horlacher chalked up six digs, four assists, and two blocks.  

Grippin led the squad with 16 digs and served three aces on 12 of 12 serving. Senior Co-Captain Makayla Wright had four blocks and four digs, and ninth-grade setter Amber Skinner had five aces on 14 of 14 serving.
The Bulldogs hosted Saratoga Central Catholic last Friday before heading north to Queensbury on Saturday to play in the Power of Pink Tournament to support the American Cancer Society's breast-cancer research.