By Melanie Cane
At the beginning of the season, the Rye High Volleyball team’s goal was to make it to Sectionals again. Coach Geri Jones said, “We worked hard all season. We trained every day with that goal in front of us.”
Rye won 14 games and lost only three in the regular season. Heading into the playoffs, they were seeded fifth.
The Garnets made Sectionals last year, losing to Pelham in the semifinals. In this year’s quarterfinals, on October 31, the Garnets faced the fourth-seed Pelicans again. They played them in a point-for-point game, coming out on top 3-2, and avenging last year’s loss.
The victory sent Rye to the home court of Walter Panas, the 2016 Section 1 Class A winners, on November 2. On the way to the game, Coach Jones told her team that they had nothing to lose and urged them to work for every point and never give up.
The Garnets fought the Walter Panas Panthers to the end, but lost 25-17, 25-22, 25-13.
The 2017 Rye High Volleyball squad has a lot to be proud of. They finished the season 16-4 and many of the players earned high recognition. Senior Cayla Brown was voted League Player of the Year. Brown and Jade Iadorella received All Section and All Conference Honors. Setter Lizzie Blonstein was awarded All Conference Honorable Mention. Brown, Iadorella, Blonstein, and Alex Kirk received All League Honors. Maddie Depaola received All League Honorable Mention. Iadorella ended the season with 85 aces, and Blonstein racked up 540 assists.
Cayla Brown makes a jumping kill.
Alex Kirk digging out the ball.
