Cross country advances to state finals
The Haldane girls’ volleyball team won the Section 1, Class C title at Pace University on Nov. 5 with a 3-1 victory over top-seeded Rye Neck but fell short in the regionals to Section 4 champ Tioga.
The Blue Devils, who finished 16-8, moved up from Class D to C last year after winning 13 consecutive Section 1 titles through 2015. Rye Neck had defeated the Blue Devils during the regular season in four sets.
Haldane had a tougher time on Nov. 7 against Tioga, losing 3-0.
In the Rye Neck contest, which Haldane won 21-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-19, Melissa Rodino had seven aces, 31 assists and seven digs; Grace Tomann had three aces, 14 kills and 14 digs and Makenzie Patinella had 11 kills and 15 digs. Willa Fitzgerald led the Blue Devils with 14 kills and Mackenzie Tokarz had a season-high 30 digs.
“This is an amazing accomplishment,” said Coach Kelsey Flaherty of the sectional title. “They played high energy volleyball, and they never gave up.”
Cross country
Led by senior Nicholas Farrell (18:17.25), senior Jonas Petkus (19:04.44) and junior Adam Silhavy (19:16.02), Haldane took the top six spots to win its 11th consecutive Section 1, Class D championship against Alexander Hamilton at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls on Nov. 4.
Farrell finished 100th overall, among 457 runners. The best time of the day was by senior Matthew Fusco of Somers, who ran the 5,000-meter course in 16:31.03.
The Haldane girls, led by freshman Shannon Ferri (21:44.30), were the only team competing in Class D.
Both Haldane teams next compete in the Class D state championships on Nov. 11 at Wayne Central High School near Rochester.
Girls’ soccer
After winning the Section 1, Class C title and the first game of the regional tournament, the Haldane girls’ soccer team fell, 2-1, in the regional final on Long Island against Section 11 champ Southhold/Greenport (14-4). The Blue Devils finished 7-11-2.
Football
Playing for the Section 1, Class D title against perennial rivals Tuckahoe, the Blue Devils jumped to an early lead but were defeated, 36-33, when a fourth-down pass from the 5-yard line to win the game with 30 seconds left fell short.
Sam Giachinta carried the ball 31 times for 299 yards and a touchdown, and quarterback Brandon Twoguns ran the ball 19 times for 140 yards and four TDs.
The Blue Devils finished 6-3. The Tigers (7-2) play Section 9 champ Millbrook at Mahopac on Nov. 12 in the state quarterfinals.
