Victory propels Birds to 4th straight finals
The Enterprise –– Michael Koff
Birds soar on: On Wednesday evening at Schalmont High School, Tori Hargrave, center, along with teammates, Nicole Brower, Erin Gannon, Libby Bjork, Caroline Bablin, and Kimmy McQuade, come together to celebrate after the last point was scored in the Class C semi-final win (22-25, 25-19, 25-10, 25-14) over Galway. Voorheesville moves on to play Broadablin-Perth on Friday at 8 p.m. at Stillwater High School.
The Enterprise –– Michael Koff
Got it by the fingertips: Voorheesville’s Tori Hargrave blocks Galway’s Emily Orminski as Voorheesville’s Libby Bablin jumps as well during the Blackbirds semi-final win (22-25, 25-19, 25-10, 25-14) over Galway at Schalmont High School.
The Enterprise –– Michael Koff
Intense concentration: Voorheesville’s Erin Gannon makes a dig on a Galway serve during the Birds’ Class C semi-final win on Wednesday evening.
The Enterprise –– Michael Koff
Perfect set: Voorheesville’s Libby Bjork puts the ball in the right place for her teammates to spike it during Voorheesville’s three-sets-to-one (25-7, 22-25, 25-16, 25-11) victory over Fonda in the Class C quarterfinal at Voorheesville last Friday. Bjork had 15 service points and 36 assists for the Blackbirds.
The Enterprise –– Michael Koff
Digging with a smile: During last Friday’s Class C volleyball quarterfinal, Voorheesville’s Kimmy McQuade, left, moves to get the ball towards a teammate as Caroline Bablin looks on during the third set of the Blackbirds decisive win over Fonda. Caroline Bablin had 16 kills and 2 blocks.
The Enterprise –– Michael Koff
Squeaking by: Voorheesville’s Caroline Bablin attempts a block during the Class C three-sets-to-one (25-7, 22-25, 25-16, 25-11) victory over Fonda last Friday in Voorheesville.
The Enterprise –– Michael Koff
Flying high: Voorheesville’s Lizzy Bablin jumps up for a spike in the third set of the Blackbirds win over Fonda last Friday. Tori Hargrave had 13 kills and 9 service points for the Blackbirds.
ROTTERDAM — The Voorheesville volleyball team bent, but did not break.
The Blackbirds’ opponent in the Class C semifinals on Wednesday night, Galway, was the first team this season to take an opening set from Voorheesville. Since the Birds usually win the first set, it made things a little difficult for the defending champions.
“That was nervewracking,” said senior Caroline Bablin, who cranked hard hits for Voorheesville all night long. “We came here wanting to win, but knew we could lose. I think our want to win was bigger than that nervousness.”
Galway had an impressive first set, playing cohesive volleyball. The opening set was tight almost the whole way, and Galway won, 25 to 22.
Bablin told The Enterprise that winning the first set always gives the Blackbirds added energy to push through the rest of the match. Despite an uneasy start, Voorheesville was still able to press on, winning the next three sets (25-19, 25-10, and 25-14) to seal the match.
“I’m so proud of the girls,” said Bablin. “We really had to focus on going out to win. We know we can lose, and we’ve lost sets before. We really had to focus and put the ball away.”
That’s exactly what Voorheesville did, murdering the volleyball, and digging the ball like holes to China.
Wednesday’s victory put the Blackbirds in the Class C finals for the fourth straight year. The team has won the last three sectional titles, and made the state competition each year.
Voorheesville plays top-seed Broadalbin-Perth on Friday in Stillwater at 8 p.m.
“If we play our best, and bring all our energy, we can do it,” Bablin said of defending the championship. “We just play our game.”
Bablin isn’t the only Birds’ player who slams the ball; senior Tori Hargrave and junior Nicole Brower had their share of big moments on Wednesday. Senior Libby Bjork, an expert server and setter, gave her hitters superb assists.
“We’ve really worked hard on swinging around the block,” said Bablin. “We do a great job with picking sides. I always pick a corner, that makes it easier.”
Voorheesville moved with a quick offense against Galway. The players were constantly circling around the court.
“We’ve really worked on that, and when we do that, opponents are always on their toes, not knowing what were going to do, or what’s coming,” Bablin said. “We work on that a lot.”
The Blackbirds have hopes of a fourth straight appearance at the state competition. There’s plenty of volleyball to be played before then, especially if the team has to rally from behind.
“When we start doing things wrong, we get down on ourselves,” Bablin concluded. “So, I think we need to focus on what we’re doing right, instead of what’s going wrong.”