LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The Sullivan West girls’ varsity volleyball squad came within a cat’s whisker of pulling a rabbit out of a hat during their first outing of the new season.

The Lady Bulldogs (0-1) took to the floor against the Lady Panthers of Monticello (1-0) during a homestand match on September 6.

The visitors won the first set with a decisive score of 25-14, 26-24 and 26-24, making a final victory for Monticello, 3-0.

In the last two sets, at times Sullivan West momentarily took the lead, only to run out of gas in the stretch.

In a sense, the match could be summed up as “experience vs. limited experience,” as Sullivan West  fielded a team with a solo senior, while the opposition boasted eight upperclassmen.

For the record, Amelia Edwards is the Lady Bulldogs’ lone 12th grader, while Monticello’s cadre of seniors includes Hanna Covello, Isabella Fairfield, Destaine Morris, Amiah Neails, Sophia Vandermark, Jazlyn Velazquez, Taylor Zirt and Rachael Zirt.

Both squads are led by a duo of captains: Sullivan West juniors (Madeline Kask and Sophie Wilkin) and Monticello seniors (Rachael Zirt and Jazlyn Velazquez).

“I’m very proud of the girls tonight,” said Helene Chappell, coach of the Sullivan West varsity volleyball team. “They have really made significant improvements from last year, and a couple of the girls coming up through the ranks are really assets to the team… Maddie Kask delivered tonight all around on the serving, setting and blocking.”

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Returning from last season (0-14) are Madeline Kask, Sophie Wilkin, Harbor Scullion, Isabella Alicea and Amelia Edwards.

Coach Chappell noted of freshman Kearstone Knapp, “She’s really got the energy as a new setter.”

When it came to the team, she said, “We’re serving well this year, and starting to communicate as a team.”

Sheila Burns is at the helm of the Lady Panthers after they went through a series of coaches. The team posted a 4-16 record last season.

“I’m very happy with the outcome; it sets the tone for the rest of the season,” she said of the victory over Sullivan West. Burns noted that Deanna Mann posted 14 consecutive aces in the match.

“The seniors brought the energy right up… they have a lot of experience,” she said, and added that one of her primary goals for the new season is “rebuilding the program.”