I felt that it was time to start a new post because this next match up between Hen Hud and Eden is going to be a preview of tomorrow’s state final and also a rematch between these two teams who faced off last season in the final.

I have to give a lot of credit to the bleacher creatures who have not only stayed classy this round but they were big supporters of Ravena against John Glenn. They can even be seen wearing Indian headbands and cheering with the Ravena crowd. They really helped bring Ravena to their best and give Hen Hud the chance to go back to the state final.

Here are the standings going into this final set:

Eden 4-0

Hen Hud 3-1

John Glenn 2-4

Ravena 1-5

1:51 – GAME TIME

1:57 – Both teams are already in the final but that doesn’t mean the rivalry created last year doesn’t run strong. There is definitely a lot going on out here. It’s 7-6 Hen Hud right now. Sareeta Nethersole is showing off her strength at the net.

13-9 Eden. Eden has taken the lead but Hen Hud is making some great plays on defense.

2:05 - both teams are experimenting with their benches. Eden has taken a dominating 21-13 lead

The Sailors keep getting called on out of rotation but I find it likely that a team this seasoned is out of rotation. Uncertain of what the referee is seeing out there. Eden leads 24-15.

Eden wins 25-15.

2:20 - The Sailors are letting Eden walk all over them. Eden has a 12-3 lead.

Okay, so it’s 17-6 now. Hen Hud has none of its starters in.

20-9 Eden. This will be over soon and we can focus on tomorrow.

I’m losing more functioning keys on my laptop though so let’s cross our fingers that it makes it into tomorrow. ...

23-9 Eden.

Eden is closing out the game 24-9…. Final is 25-9.

The championship is tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the Civic Center.

Bye for today.

Casey

I’m here at the Glens Falls Civic Center waiting for the opening ceremonies to start.

This morning classes B, C, D will be participating in the pool play round. The top two teams will advance to the state final match.

I’ll try to keep you updated as much as possible throughout the matches. Remember the newest updates will be at the bottom of the page.

Here’s some interesting facts to keep you entertained until then:

Hen Hud has won 94 straight games.

They have not lost a regular season game in nine years.

This is the Sailors sixth trip to the state tournament, they are three-year reigning champions – in two different classes.

A little information about the state tournament, Eden is back. The powerhouse that Hen Hud dropped in five games last year will be back in the final four. I’ll let you know how they look once the teams get out on the court.

In honor of the old volleyball blog I just have one question bloggers: Can you dig it?

Casey

8:10 a.m. – still waiting but I found out the other Class B teams. John Glenn High School is back. They gave Hen Hud some trouble in pool play last year. Ravena is also here this season. So, it’s a final four rematch showdown. Let’s see who takes it all this year.

The Sailors will face Ravena at 9 a.m. (two games) and then John Glenn probably around 12 but it’s as time permits. The Eden games will be around 2 p.m.

So, they told me 8 a.m. but it looks like pool play isn’t starting until 9 a.m. and the opening ceremonies are at 8:30 a.m. Good thing I’m a morning person.

Casey

8:15 a.m. -They started the opening ceremonies. I’ll be back when it’s game time.

8:20 a.m. - Stephanie Gmeiner received the Good Sport Award for Hen Hud.

8:51 a.m. - The Hen Hud crowd is starting to bulk up. The bleacher creatures have finally arrived.

8:57 a.m. – Okay, so someone just served a ball into my coffee hence all over me and my laptop. Let’s hope it keeps working, my computer otherwise there will be BIG problems. I on the other hand soaked in coffee so if anyone here is reading this and has extra pants I would be much obliged.

The game is starting now, Hen vs. Ravena.

9:05 a.m. - The Sailors looked a little uncertain at first but they are back on their game with a 7-4 lead, so far.

Oh, and my computer is working, hooray!

9:10 a.m. - 15-6 Hen Hud. A diving save by Claurice Mayo helps keep the Sailors streak alive.Sareeta Nethersole is serving.

9:15 a.m. - Hen Hud 20-9. The Sailors are relentless. Middle, outside and offside hitters are keeping Ravena on its feet. Sailor defense is keeping the serve alive.

9:17 a.m. game point 24-11, wickel is serving.The Sailors get it done 25-11.

9:25 a.m. Game 2: Hen Hud leads 7-5

9:27 a.m. – And just like that the tides have turned. Ravena is leading 9-7 with the serve.

9:30 a.m. – Hen Hud. 13-10. It’s a fight.

I’m trying to take pictures and blog and take notes, while freezing from coffee-stained jeans, so wait it out with me.

9:35 a.m. – Hen Hud 18-15. It’s coming into the final stretch. The Sailors are keeping the lead but they need to pick it up to shut down Ravena.

9:38 a.m. – Kill by Meredith Fay brings the game to 22-18, Hen Hud is still stringing Ravena along. If they step up they can shut them down and move on to John Glenn.

9:40 a.m. – Hen Hud takes it 25-18. They are now 2-0 going into the later games in pool play. Tis is good for them. The Sailors have a break now for about 90 minutes.

I need to go find dry clothing. I’ll be back soon and hopefully dry.

10 a.m. – Okay, I’m dry but I feel terribly underdressed in baby blue sweatpants – the only thing pantsworthy to buy here. Hopefully, my jeans will dry before the end of the session.

Eden and John Glenn are warming up. Eden looks as scary and big as ever. My laptop was only saved because of the safety person they had guarding the low back wall.

It’s only 10 but it’s already been quite a day here at the Civic Center.

10:24 A.M. – Eden just took the first game over John Glenn… 25-15. Both teams were looking really good.

10:42 a.m. – Eden is pulverizing John Glenn this game. They have a 22-8 lead.

10:43 a.m. – Eden takes it 25-9.

Eden is 2-0, Hen Hud is 2-0, Ravena and John Glenn are 0-2. Eden takes on Ravena next.

11 a.m. – Eden vs. Ravena

Wow Ravena is leading 5-2. Eden had a bad start but they seem to be coming back around.

11:07 a.m. – Eden has gained a 17-10 lead over Ravena. They look to be taking over the game.

11:15 a.m. – Eden takes the win 25-13.

11:30 a.m. – Eden swees Ravena 25-12.

Hen Hud faces John Glenn in just a few minutes.

Eden 4-0,

Ravena 0-4.

11:45 a.m. – Hen Hud vs. John Glenn….

Hen Hud leads 11-10. It’s a tight game so far but Hen Hud is holding it’s own.

11:55 a.m. – Sareeta Nethersole has a big back row kill to give the Sailors a 13-10 lead and bring Jackie Tamburri up to serve.

16-11 Hen Hud

19-13 Hed Hud. Sorry I can’t add much… the coffee has gotten to my keyboard and certain letters don’t work.

Hen Hud took the game 25-18.

They are leading John Glenn 14-10 currently in game 2.

I am having problems with my p key – which is a big deal so hopefully I can get it to start working normally.

John Glenn has tied the game at 18-18. They just took a 19-18 lead.

John Glenn now leads 21-18. The Sailors need to side out and get a rhythm going.

Hen Hud got the serve back. Jackie Tamburri is serving. 22-19.  Now 22-20 thanks to Taylor Wickel.

22-21 on a Meredith Fay kill. The Sailors are on a role.

Hen Hud ties on  a block gone wrong by John Glenn 22-22.

John Glenn game point and they take it on an ace 25-22.

Eden 4-0,

Hen Hud 3-1

John Glenn 1-2

Ravena 0-4

Ravena and John Glenn duke it out next. Hen Hud goes back to recup before facing off with rival Eden.

So here’s the deal:

Hen Hud needs Ravena to split or beat John Glenn. If John Glenn sweeps Ravena then the Sailors have to split or beat Eden to get the chance to get to the final tomorrow at 10 a.m.

1 p.m. – Ravena is winning 15-11 over John Glenn. Things are looking up.

1:05 p.m. – John Glenn had it tied at 18 but Ravena just took the lead.

Typing the time is very difficult. I have to hit a certain key several times just to get something to pop up. Then it has all sorts of things after it.

Lesson: Never bring coffee to a volleyball match.

Ravena is leading 23-19 but John Glenn has the serve.

Ravena takes the first game 25-21. This is good for the Sailors because even if they lose both games to Eden, the worst their record could be is 3-3. John Glenn has already lost 4 games as has Ravena. So it looks like Hen Hud is going back to the finals tomorrow.

Game 2: The Sailors take it 25-13 thanks to the serving of Kelley-Anne Lonergan. She ended the game on an ace.One more win and the Sailors are heading to states.

Game 2:The Sailors are leaving little room for Owego to get into this game. They have a commanding 22-13 lead and the serve

Hen Hud took the first game by a narrow 25-21. Taylor Wickel had six kills. Teammate Sareeta Nethersole added five kills.

Hey bloggers!

I am up in Elmira to see Hen Hud play Owego in the Class B state regional final at Southside High School.

Two minutes to game time. I’ll try to keep you updated!

Casey