Volleyball: Sailors Sweep Suffern

Hendrick Hudson (2-0) and Suffern started off their first game on Tuesday afternoon splitting the first 14 points.

Hen Hud though won 18 of the next 27 points to win Game 1, propelling it to a 3-0 sweep of the visiting Mounties.

Sailor coach Diane Swertfager, who has coached the Sailors to 11 straight Section 1 titles, felt the experience her team had in its Breast Cancer Awareness Tournament over the weekend helped it in beating the Mounties.

The 20-team tournament included powerhouses Hunterdon Central from New Jersey and Massapequa from Long Island who ended up in the finals.

“I think they learned and matured from that day,” Swertfager said. “Today we were so much better passing and serving. The setters were distributing the ball better. They ran a better offense. They were really on today. I felt we took a big jump today.”

That jump began when the Sailors and Mounties were going back and forth in the early going before Hen Hud broke a 7-7 tie in the first game it eventually won 25-16.

Hen Hud co-captain Katie D’Ambrosio, who led the Sailors with 12 digs, thought the team was well prepared to handle that situation.

“We practice being in those situations and we motivate each other when a match is tough like that,” D’Ambrosio said.

D’Ambrosio, who had a team-high 12 digs, made sure that the Sailors got off to a fast start in the second game. Tied at 1-1, she served the Sailors to five straight points.

That enabled them to jump out to a 6-1 lead in a game they would eventually win 25-15. Hen Hud then took the third game 25-17 to sweep the match.

“We were really motivated,” D’Ambrosio said. “We were on a high after winning the first set and we had a good energy on the court that we were able to keep it up.”

Swertfager said that she was happy with the play of both her co-captains, D’Ambrosio and Stephanie Gmeiner.

“The captains led and did a great job today,” Swertfager said. “I was impressed with the quickness which they were moving on the court with, which helps in Katie’s passing and hitting and Stephanie’s movement, blocking and hitting.”

Swertfager said that she was also happy with the play of sophomore Gabby Kempski, who played one game and had six kills.

“It certainly makes you think about playing her more often,” Swertfager said.

Hen Hud setters Jessica Pelaccio, who led the Sailors with 23 assists, and Jessica Sincero, who registered 12 assists, also did a great job, as each was very consistent both offensively and defensively according to Swertfager.

“They can play any position outside of setting right now,” Swertfager said. “They are both great athletes who do a good job.”

They, along with their teammates, will look to continue to do the good job they did against Suffern in their next match at 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15 at Arlington.