Anyone watching the first set of the volleyball match on Wednesday (Sept. 22) between Haldane and Valhalla in Cold Spring might have thought the Vikings — who seemed to be doing everything right in a 25-11 win — were headed for a straight-set victory.

But the Blue Devils regrouped in the second set, dominating, 25-12, to even the match and won the next two sets (25-14, 25-23) to improve to 3-1.

Haldane volleyballs
Haldane players celebrate a come-from-behind win on Wednesday. (Photo by S. Pearlman)

“That was a huge win for us because of that first set,” said Coach Kristina Roling. “The team rallied and finished strong. Valhalla had a great server, and she got 15 or so points on us in a row. We got a little frustrated, and maybe there were some jitters playing in front of fans again.”

Haldane volleyball
Kate Jordan (3) of Haldane looks for the finish at the net Wednesday at home. (Photo by S. Pearlman)

Before the second set, Roling told her team “to come out with energy. They were communicating and talking, and we played a lot better.”

Jill Weinphal led Haldane in kills with 11 and added 14 digs, while Meghan Tomann had 16 assists and four aces and Megan Farrell had 16 digs and four aces. 

“Jill did an amazing job,” Roling said. “Meghan was awesome getting to everything and Scotia Hartford had some amazing blocks. Megan Farrell, our libero, did a wonderful job reading the ball and passing.”

On Monday (Sept. 20), Haldane defeated Woodlands, 3-1. On Sept. 17, the Blue Devils fell to Briarcliff, 3-1.

Haldane is scheduled to visit Pleasantville today (Sept. 24) and play in a tournament at Briarcliff on Saturday. It will host Croton-Harmon and North Salem early next week before traveling to Croton-Harmon on Thursday.

Behind The Story

Type: News

News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Pearlman, a native of Carmel, was the sports editor of the Putnam County Courier in Carmel for 14 years and for the North County News in Yorktown Heights for 13 years. Location: Cold Spring. Languages: English. Area of expertise: Sports