Ballston Spa girls' volleyball wins big heading into sectionals, defeats Shen

PHOTOGRAPHER: File Photo

Ballston Spa topped Shenendehowa on Monday.

The Ballston Spa girls’ volleyball team pulled off a stunner Monday in defeating nine-time defending Class AA champion Shenendehowa, one night before fields were revealed for the Section II girls’ volleyball tournament.

“Perfect timing,” Ballston Spa coach Heather LaSalvia said of Monday’s four-set victory. “If they’re going to come together, now is the time to do it, with the sectionals coming up.”

The final Suburban Council match of the season for both teams saw Ballston Spa prevail on its home court 25-18, 10-25, 25-17, 25-23.

“It has to be over a decade since we last beat them,” LaSalvia said. “I don’t think the girls understand the history of it all. It’s a big deal.”

A day after its big win, Ballston Spa received the No. 3 seed in the Class AA field, while Shenendehowa took the No. 1 seed and Niskayuna earned the No. 2 spot. Other top seeds this year include Burnt Hills in Class A, Broadalbin-Perth in Class B, Lake George in Class C and Galway in Class D.

First-round matches in the various brackets take place Wednesday.

Against Shenendehowa on Monday, several Scotties came up big, with Anna Pilkey and Hunter Campion joining for 30 kills, Isabella Frederickson assisting on 34 points, and Samantha Russell anchoring the defense with 33 digs.

“The girls were just on fire,” LaSalvia said. “They were prepared. They were smart. They looked at the other side of the court to find spots. They were smart on defense. They communicated with each other. It was so awesome to see.”

Ballston Spa on Friday will host Bethlehem in a quarterfinal. Bethlehem beat a Ballston Spa in a five-setter during league play, though the Scotties were missing six players that evening.

“We had injuries, sickness, college visits,” LaSalvia said. “We were down to six players. Our libero was hitting. It will be different Friday. We’re excited to play them.”

POSTSEASON FIELDS

CLASS AA

First round

Wednesday

9-Saratoga Springs at 8-Schenectady, 5

Quarterfinals

Friday

Saratoga/Schenectady at 1-Shenendehowa, 5; 7-Shaker at 2-Niskayuna, 5; 6-Bethlehem at 3-Ballston Spa, 5; 5-Guilderland at 4-Columbia, 5

Semifinals

Nov. 5

At Averill Park, 5 & 7

Championship

Nov. 9

At Saratoga Springs, 5

CLASS A

Quarterfinals

Friday

1-Burnt Hills, bye; 7-Troy at 2-South Glens Falls, 5; 6-Averill Park at 3-Queensbury, 5; 5-Mohonasen at 4-Gloversville, 5

Semifinals

Nov. 5

At Ballston Spa, 5 & 7

Championship

Nov. 9

At Saratoga Springs, 7.

CLASS B

First round

Wednesday

11-Schalmont at 6-Ravena, 5; 10-Glens Falls at 7-Bishop Gibbons, 5; 9-Catholic Central at 8-Johnstown, 5

Quarterfinals

Friday

Catholic Central/Johnstown at 1-Broadalbin, 5; Glens Falls/Bishop Gibbons at 2-Holy Names, 5; Schalmont/Ravena at 3-Cobleskill, 5; 5-Hudson at 4-Hudson Falls, 5

Semifinals

Nov. 5

At Watervliet, 5 & 7

Championship

Nov. 9

At Saratoga Springs, 3

CLASS C

First round

Wednesday

1-Lake George, bye; 2-Tamarac, bye; 3-Fonda, bye; 13-Loudonville Christian at 4-Voorheesville, 5; 12-Hoosic Valley at 5-Greenville, 5; 11-Canajoharie/Fort Plain at 6-Schuylerville, 5; 10-Chatham at 7-Mechanicville, 5; 9-Taconic Hills at 8-Albany Academy, 5

Quarterfinals

Friday

At higher seeds, 5

Semifinals

Nov. 5

At Gloversville, 5 & 7

Championship

Nov. 8

At Saratoga Springs, 5

CLASS D

First round

Wednesday

11-Hawthorne Valley at 6-Fort Edward, 5; 10-Middleburgh at 7-Mayfield, 5; 9-Schoharie at 8-Germantown, 5

Quarterfinals

Friday

Schoharie/Germantown at 1-Galway, 5; Middleburgh/Mayfield at 2-Argyle, 5; Hawthorne Valley/Fort Edward at 3-Maple Hill, 5; 5-Cambridge at 4-Hartford, 5

Semifinals

Nov. 5

At Stillwater, 5 & 7

Championship

Nov. 8

At Saratoga Springs, 7

Reach Gazette Sportswriter Jim Schiltz at 518-395-3143, [email protected] or @jim_schiltz on Twitter.