Julianna Lucie, Angela Bush lead Kellenberg to third straight CHSAA title
Olivia Twomley of Kellenberg reacts after a kill point during the CHSAA girls volleyball final against St. Anthony's on Monday at St. Dominic. Credit: Dawn McCormick
A big second-set deficit did little to deter Kellenberg’s title defense. Instead, it allowed the Firebirds to mount a relentless rally and display championship-level grit.
Top-seeded Kellenberg won its third straight league title, defeating third-seeded St. Anthony’s, 25-20, 28-26, 25-22, in the CHSAA girls volleyball final at St. Dominic High School on Monday night.
The Friars led the second set 16-9 after Cassandra Rhodes' kill. Kellenberg called a timeout and scored the next four points, going on an 8-2 run to get within one point.
The Friars would have two set points, the first being saved after a kill by Kellenberg’s Lisa Cortizo and the second by Josephine Speciale’s kill. Angela Bush stepped to the service line with the Firebirds ahead one point and served an ace to end the set with a 28-26 win.
“We just had to find the court, find our middles and contain their hitters,” Bush said. “We ended up successfully doing those things. Our blocks and serve receives got better and we were laying out for every ball possible.”
St. Anthony’s led the third set 8-4, but the Firebirds ripped off nine straight points. Bush had a kill and four aces throughout the run, including a string of three straight aces.
Kellenberg led 22-14 after Speciale’s kill, but the Friars went on an 8-2 run, with Rhodes having three kills. Riley James’ kill ended the rally and the match for the Firebirds.
“We’re always going to have a target on our backs as champions, so we have to embrace that,” Julianna Lucie said. “We use it as motivation and strive to play our game, because that’s the best game anyone can play.”
Bush finished with 10 kills, seven digs, five aces and two blocks for Kellenberg (12-1). Speciale had seven kills and two blocks and Lucie had 27 digs. Elizabeth O’Sullivan had 16 assists and Julia Bonino had 15.
Rhodes had 12 kills, Abigail Heron had eight and Gracie Hahn had five for St. Anthony’s (10-5).
Bush was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year after the match, and Lucie was named match MVP.
“Getting this award was definitely something on my bucket list for this year,” Lucie said. “But I wish everyone could get it, because every single person on that court deserved it today.”
Kellenberg will play in the CHSAA state championship tournament on Saturday in Buffalo.
“Nothing came easy, points were tight and nobody was surrendering,” Kellenberg coach Cathy von Schoenermarck said. “There was no margin that felt comfortable, but these girls kept fighting and good things happened.”
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.
