The area tour swung through Orangeburg today where I saw perhaps the tallest volleyball team in Section 1: Suffern. The Mounties were posed little threat by Tappan Zee, which were overhwelmed 25-17, 25-9, 25-5 in a 3-0 sweep.

Suffern’s front line was awesome. With five players around 6-feet or taller, that was hardly much of a surprise.

Kristin Schmidt, Christa Baccas and Jenna Hrycyk (right, picture from last year) combined for 18 kills and seven blocks. Their defense at the net was just as impressive as their offense. Poor Tappan Zee tried to hit over them but it couldn’t. Sometimes the Dutchies tried to blast through the line and launched a spike directly into the net.

Perhaps the biggest story from today was Suffern’s quest to face its tallest order of the season: finding a setter. Can sophomore Elizabeth Flaherty be that person? Maybe. She looked fit to fill the role today, picking up 13 assists and four digs.

Flaherty is a versatile player, according to coach Sean Barnes. She showed as much from behind the service line. Twice Flaherty won seven straight points on serve to provide Suffern with leads that proved insurmountable.

One thing of note from Tappan Zee: the Dutchies have a few coach this season, Michelle Zrelak. She is a former JV coach from Spring Valley who took over the Tappan Zee program this fall. Zrelak told me she is still getting familiar with her players but believes they have potential.

Tayla Gardner and Gabbie Reda are among the veterans, but the Dutchies still need to replace three starters from last year’s 12-5 team.