Garden City girls volleyball ends 18-year title drought in Nassau Class AA final
Garden City captain Alexandra Gregory presents the championship plaque to her team after the Nassau Class AA girls volleyball final against Mepham on Monday at Farmingdale. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
When Giuliana Pamatat opened the match by serving an ace, it was evident that Garden City was ready to win its first county title since 2007.
Pamatat had 34 assists, seven kills and six aces as top-seeded Garden City defeated sixth-seeded Mepham, 3-0 (25-14, 25-7, 25-19), in the Nassau Class AA girls volleyball final on Monday night at Farmingdale High School.
We were all locked in from the start,” Pamatat said. “We focused on keeping control of the ball and keeping it in play. We wanted to force them into mistakes.”
Alex Gregory had 17 kills and two aces and her younger sister Teresa had 12 kills and two aces for Garden City (19-0). Kate Scuderi had 10 digs and seven kills. Kelly Caiaccia had 12 kills for Mepham (8-12).
Garden City held a 6-1 lead in the first after Alex Gregory’s kill. Scuderi’s kill gave the Trojans a 22-13 advantage and Teresa Gregory had kills for their final three points.
“It’s been such a wonderful experience playing with my sister and some of my best friends,” Alex Gregory said. “I come into every game thinking that it’s a privilege and I’m going to have the most fun I can.”
Alex Gregory’s block capped off a 9-0 run to begin the second set. Scuderi had three aces near the end of the set to put the Trojans ahead 23-7.
“We took this game really seriously,” Alex Gregory said. We’ve played them twice and gotten that experience under our belt, but we know in the playoffs anything can happen.”
Garden City got two aces from Pamatat to begin the third and led 5-0. Maddie Santos’ kill put Mepham ahead 9-8, giving it a lead for the first time. Caiaccia’s kill gave Mepham another lead at 13-12.
Alex Gregory made a kick save on the next point that sent the ball over the net and Teresa Gregory’s kill tied it. Anais Bardizbanian’s ace put Garden City ahead 22-17.
“This means a lot to us. This is the last season for quite a few of us,” Pamatat said. “This was our last chance to make it and it feels like we capitalized. The whole team is going to stay focused and work our hardest to keep going.”
Garden City will look to win its first Long Island championship when it takes on Smithtown East at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at Hauppauge High School.
“I was happy with how poised we were,” Garden City coach Pete Dubon said. “I’m especially happy for the seniors and proud that they found a way to get it done.”
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.
