As successful as the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake girls volleyball team has been over the last decade, head coach Gary Bynon still doesn’t take things for granted.
Qualifying for the state tournament, for example.
The Lady Spartans dispatched Section III champion Oswego in three games last Thursday to win the Class A regional final at Union College in Schenectady and earn a berth in the state tournament this weekend in Glens Falls.
You never want to take things for granted, said Bynon, whose Lady Spartans are making their ninth consecutive trip to states.
Oswego made BH-BL work for its sweep, but the Lady Spartans ultimately pulled away to win 25-13, 25-16 and 25-16.
`They’re a very good volleyball team,` said Bynon. `They do the simple things well.`
Maria Allocco had 11 kills and four blocks to lead BH-BL. Lizzy Morton contributed seven kills, while Natalie Ziskin added 20 assists and four blocks.
`We got a lot of touches today, and that was huge,` said Bynon. `Our back-row defense was something that makes a coach proud. You had to hit a perfect shot to A) not be blocked and B) not to be dug.`
Shenendehowa was hoping to join BH-BL in Glens Falls for the state tournament, but the Plainswomen lost to Section III power Baldwinsville in three games 25-9, 25-6 and 25-11 in the Class AA regional.
Shen finished the season with a 16-5 record and its first Sectional title in 20 years.
`Just the experience of being here was exciting for them, and it gives us something to plook forward to in the future,` said Shen coach Lori Kessler.“
