Volleyball: Galway continues historic run

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Kelly

Galway's Emily Smith serves during Saturday's Class C girls' volleyball regional championship match.

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Trailing in the third set, Galway girls’ volleyball head coach Mike Glenn knew not to panic.

The reason? Simple. He knows his team.

“If we can stay within eight points right down to the end,” Glenn said, “we’re going to pull it out every time because they’re great kids and they work their butts off.”

Galway severely tested its coach’s theory in the final set Saturday of its 25-10, 25-20, 25-23 Class C regional championship victory against Section VII’s Northeastern Clinton at Gloversville High School. In the match’s final set, Galway trailed 7-1, 13-4 and 21-15 — but ended the game on 10-2 run to seal its first-ever trip to the state final four tournament.

“I knew there was enough heart in all those kids that we’ll pull it out in the end,” Glenn said.

Galway (20-1) rolled through the first set, ending that game on a 13-3 run. Glenn said he knew that type of dominance would not last for his squad.

“We knew coming out they were going to be tough because they’re here at this level and, [if you get] this far, you’re a good team,” Glenn said of Northeastern Clinton. “I think we jumped on them early. They were a little shocked and then they got into a groove and started playing good.”

For Galway, sophomore Emma Smith had 11 kills and 18 digs, while junior Carlee Hortsmann added 10 kills. Senior Britnay Kenyon and sophomore Lindsay Zawisa each had eight kills, while Kenyon added six blocks and Zawisa added 15 digs.

Off a straight-sets victory and a fantastic finish, Glenn said his team will be ready for its trip next weekend to Glens Falls.

“They showed so much heart and they finally just got it together and made that run at the end,” Glenn said.