Section Nine Class A Volleyball Championship

Winners all

Elite Cornwall triumphs in final as Monticello’s glorious run ends

By RICHARD A. ROSS

NEW PALTZ, NY — Cornwall and Monticello’s stellar volleyball teams traded blows this season. Each had come into the opposing team’s gym and emerged victorious.

But under the glaring lights of their Class A Section Nine Championship showdown on November 4, Cornwall evinced a stunning superiority that Monticello coach Karen Atack described thusly: “Once again, they outplayed us in every facet of the game.”

The Section Nine Co-Coach of the Year was referencing Cornwall’s recent sweep of her Lady Panthers on October 15 that reversed the polarity of Monticello's stunning early-season five-set win at Cornwall in September.

In the recent match and in this one, Cornwall’s depth of year-round club players, its forceful net play, effective service, composure and downright refusal to let a ball hit the floor proved too much for noble Monticello as Cornwall overcame some early nerves to effect the sweeping victory.

It was Cornwall’s third consecutive Section Nine title and as Section Nine’s other Co-Coach of the Year, Jeff Moulton, saw it, his team had a good chance to continue its ride as they prepared to face Section Four’s Vestal at New Paltz on November 6. That team is comprised of many players his girls have faced during their club season, which runs from December to May. A year ago, Cornwall lost in the first round to eventual state champion Hendrick-Hudson.

Cornwall was sparked by Co-Player of the Yyear Karin Edsall. “She simply destroyed us,” noted Atack. Edsall had 12 kills and eight digs. Teammate Alex Gagliano had 12 kills and seven blocks. Cornwall (18-1) allowed 16 points to Monticello in the first and final games. They held them to six in the middle set.

But there is far more to this story than Cornwall’s win, Monticello’s loss or the minutiae of statistics.

The stark finality of tournament play yields only one winner.

Consequently, in such a narrow context, victorious players are entranced by the headiness of their success, while those who come in second are often dismayed and disappointed by a consuming sense of failure. But true winners are those who have given their all, work tirelessly and dedicate themselves to the betterment of themselves and their team.

No final score, tournament trophy or banner can tell the whole story of such accomplishments. In that more meaningful context, both teams emerged victorious.

Unfortunately that perspective is sometimes hard to comprehend, especially in our youth.

And so they stood. On one side of the court, beaming in the afterglow of their impressive victory, was Cornwall. Across the net, fighting back tears and trying their best to put the best face on their sense of disappointment, was Monticello.

Losing to Cornwall on the big stage hit Monticello’s seniors the hardest, including Section Nine Co-Player of the Year Polly Palhano and her leaping net-ruler Emily Drobysh. Both took the onus of the loss on themselves.

“We knew we could beat them,” said Drobysh. “We just couldn’t get all six of us on the same page today.” It was a tough way to end their stellar careers but they, along with the rest of the team, should be immensely proud of their accomplishments. Atack and her assistant, Ed Kaufmann, certainly were. So were the parents who gave their kids an ovation as the team exited the locker room.

“It’s hard to end the season this way,” noted Atack, “but we lost to a very good team.”

Completing its season at 17-2, Monticello adds its ninth Section Nine runner-up plaque to the impressive résumé of its coach and school. Atack hoped that this year’s special group that included Section Nine first team choice, Samantha Schoonmaker, could bring home the Montie’s fifth Section Nine title. The last one came in 2001. It’s been three years since the Monties made it to the big dance.

Atack named Schoonmaker Player of the Game. “She played her heart and soul out.” Schoonmaker had two points, five assists and six digs. Palhano had eight points and six kills. Drobysh added four points, one assist, five kills and two blocks.

“Now we’ll concentrate on next year,” said Atack. Blessed with a cadre of fine young players, Monticello will look to rebuild and retain its place along with boys basketball as the school’s flagship teams.

Kudos to the outgoing seniors that include Alexa Buckles, Chelsea Reuss, Polly Palhano, Samantha Schoonmaker, Emily Drobysh and Ke’Ayra Sanders.

Monticello had beaten the Port Jervis Lady Red Raiders 25-16, 25-6, 25-16 with a mix of superb ball placement, great net play, fine service and sheer grit in the semi finals.

Visit riverreportersports.com for albums of pictures and a write up of Monticello’s semifinal and final games.