The South Side girls volleyball team goes 2-1 in pool play, advances to state Class A final
Lena Miller of South Side is excited after her kill against Islip in pool play of state girls volleyball championships in Glens Falls on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. Credit: Stephen Weaver
GLENS FALLS — South Side is aware of its penchant for getting off to a slow start. It happened again on Friday, but the Cyclones quickly rebounded to earn a spot in the state final.
South Side advanced past pool play with a 2-1 record, earning itself a spot in the state Class A girls volleyball final. South Side will face Williamsville South (Section VI) at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Harding Mazzotti Arena in Glens Falls.
South Side opened against Islip and dropped the first set, 25-19, after Jane Tierney’s block. Keira Mullaney’s ace gave South Side a 25-19 victory in the second, setting up a deciding third set.
“It feels like we’re prone to those slow starts and we don’t know why,” Mullaney said. “But we’re also conditioned at this point to know that doesn’t dictate the rest of the match.”
South Side led the third set 10-3, but Islip responded with a 6-1 run. An attack error ended the match, as South Side earned a 15-12 win in the final set.
South Side defeated Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (Section II), 2-0, in its second match, securing its place in the final. The Cyclones led the first set 10-7 but trailed by three late. Lena Miller had the final kill as South Side won the first set, 25-21.
The Cyclones dropped their third match to Williamsville South, 2-0, as both teams played reserves with their spots in the final decided.
“I never doubted these girls, they’re peaking at the right time,” South Side coach Steve Mariano said. “They fought back from being behind again and that just seems to be the way we like to do it.”
Islip finished pool play 0-3. The Buccaneers lost their second match to Williamsville South, 2-0, dashing their hopes of advancing. They also dropped their third match, 2-0, to Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.
Islip received an at-large bid into a regional final despite losing to Half Hollow Hills West in the county final. The Buccaneers defeated Owego Free Academy to earn the opportunity to compete in Glens Falls.
“It was a great accomplishment for them to get that bid and then go up and beat Owego,” Islip coach Michael Schober said. “I’m proud of them and they should be proud of themselves.”
In Class C, Port Jefferson lost its first two matchups of pool play to Portville (VI) and Mount Academy (IX) and was eliminated from contention. The Royals had an early six-point lead in the second set against Mount Academy, but the Eagles took the set, 25-20.
Portville and Mount Academy will play for the Class C title at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
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.
