Dominant Blue Devils improve to 8-3
The Haldane High School volleyball team has dominated opponents over the past two weeks, losing only five games while blanking opponents in every victory. Their wins include two shutouts over rival Beacon.
Haldane’s Grace Tomann (4) fires over the defense of Beacon’s Grace Affeldt (15) and Lejdina Gecaj (18) in a match on Sept. 25. (Photo by S. Pearlman)
In the second Blue Devils-Bulldogs match-up, on Tuesday (Sept. 25), Haldane won the first two games, 25-17 and 25-16, and closed it out in convincing fashion, 25-9.
“We had a slow start, but we turned it on midway through the second game,” said Coach Kelsey Flaherty, a 2012 Haldane grad. “We got the job done thanks to our defense.”
Haldane coach Kelsey Flaherty talks to her team during a timeout on Sept. 25. (Photo by S. Pearlman)
Willa Fitzgerald had 10 kills for Haldane, and Grace Tomann added 10 kills and five digs. Olivia Monteleone added 12 digs and Melissa Rodino had 17 assists.
“Grace got us some important points,” said Flaherty. “She’s a key player for us on offense. Olivia had eight aces, which was key as far as keeping possession. And Fitzgerald also played well when the ball was set to her.”
Maria Barry of Haldane (in white) and Beacon’s Lejdina Gecaj meet at the net in the Sept. 25 match. (Photo by S. Pearlman)
On Saturday (Sept. 22), the Blue Devils defeated Keio Academy on the road in straight sets, 25-22, 25-10, 25-13. Fitzgerald led Haldane with 15 kills, Tomann added seven, and Rodino had 23 assists and eight aces.
Haldane’s three losses include two to the much larger Scarsdale and one to Ardsley. It is scheduled to host North Salem at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2, before traveling to Pawling on Thursday, Oct. 4.
