South Glens Falls girls’ volleyball just ended a two-decade-plus drought, gutting out a 3-1 Section 2 Class A championship win over Glens Falls on Saturday. This wasn’t just any win, it was their first sectional title since 2001, and let me tell you, the Bulldogs earned every single point.
Battling Back and Making History
We all know the rivalry between South Glens Falls and Glens Falls, and the Bulldogs have a history of pulling off come-from-behind victories against the Black Bears. Saturday’s match was no different. After taking the first set 25-16, Glens Falls roared back to snag the second 14-25. That second set loss? It was the first time South Glens Falls had dropped a set in the entire sectional tournament after winning eleven straight! But did they fold? Absolutely not. They bounced back with a 25-20 win in the third, then sealed the deal with a clutch 25-21 fourth set victory at Saratoga Springs High School. Bulldogs coach Alicia Collier summed it up perfectly, saying her team “learned to battle” and handles the mental pressure “incredibly well,” especially with the added championship anxiety. This team’s ability to “battle through that and do the jobs that their team is relying on them to do, it’s incredible.” You can’t argue with that kind of grit.
Darrah’s Heroics and Team Power
When it came down to crunch time in that fourth set, with Glens Falls leading for a good chunk of it and looking to force a fifth, South Glens Falls found another gear. Their effort up front and from the service line was unreal. Junior Adison Darrah, who was a force all day, set up freshman Hailey Lloyd for a kill that put the Bulldogs ahead for good, 22-21. But Darrah wasn’t done! She then dropped one of her four aces in the match to set up match point. Seriously, the moment called for it, and she delivered. Darrah herself said she was telling herself to “just get it in” with the student section roaring, taking a deep breath and knowing “I got this.” That’s the stuff of champions! She finished with a monster stat line: 13 kills, 11 digs, and 8 service points. Coach Collier raved about her, calling Darrah “a very, very dynamic player” who they rely on “heavily to do everything on the court.” Collier was “really proud of how much she carries on her shoulders for our team and how well she is able to handle that and push forward.”
And let’s not forget the rest of the crew who put in work: senior setter Grace Smith dished out 24 assists and nabbed 17 digs, junior Reese Marry pounded out 17 kills, 5 blocks, and 6 service points, and the junior-sophomore combo of Kara Wise and Lillian Comer snagged a combined 26 digs. Senior Brenna Radel also put up 20 service points. Glens Falls definitely brought the fight, too, with senior Izzy Nzambi racking up 14 kills, 17 digs, and 3 aces, junior Ava Knapp adding 11 digs and 7 kills, and senior Iris Wright delivering 11 kills and 4 aces. Glens Falls setter Maya Royael contributed 20 assists. It was a true championship brawl.
What’s Next for the Bulldogs?
This is huge, folks! As junior Adison Darrah exclaimed, “I am beyond excited. This is our first time in a while going to regionals and I think staying together as a team really helped us go through every challenge together.” You know this team is going to carry that championship momentum and that undeniable “battle” mentality into regionals. They just proved they can handle intense pressure and come back from the brink. Don’t sleep on these Bulldogs, they’re not done making noise!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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