Monumental Montie Milestones
Boys Clinch Third Consecutive Division III Title While Girls Break 28-Year Drought Garnering First Title Since 1984; A Plethora Of Personal Bests Evinced By Kids As Liberty Gives Its Best Vying In Tougher Division; Burke On The Scene As A Non-League Entry
Boys: OCIAA Division III: Monticello 94, Liberty 47; Liberty 119, Burke 15; Monticello 134, Burke 1
Girls: OCIAA Division III: Monticello 95, Liberty 46; Liberty 92, Burke 47; Monticello 108, Burke 33
By RICHARD A. ROSS
Photos at: www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
Scenes from the historic meet in which Monticello's boys clinched their 3rd straight Div. III title and the girls got their first crown in 28 years (clockwise). Monticello's boys and girls track teams pose with their coaches following the epic wins by both squads. Monticello twins Camryn and Sydney Johnson lead the way in the 1500. They also went one-two in the 800 and ran in the victorious 3200 relay. Monticello Coach Joe Seidl undergoes his annual dousing after the title victory. Liberty senior Rebeccah Harman wins the 100 high hurdles. She also won the 400 hurdles and ran a leg in the winning 400 relay. Monticello's Joe Klein won the 1600 and 3200. Liberty's Andy Hazelnis turned in a personal best 41-2 in the triple jump. Liberty's Vinny Webbe clears 11-0 in the pole vault, Liberty's Nikole Snyder jumps a personal best 15-6 to win the long jump. Liberty's Kane Sauchuk swept the 110 and 400 hurdles and ran a leg in the winning 3200 relay despite being afflicted with the stomach flu, Monticello senior Tania Walker wins the 200. She also won the 400. Monticello senior Onique (Tino) Taylor wins the 200 just one tenth of a second shy of the school record. Monticello's boys and girls team pictures are at the bottom of the panel.
MONTICELLO,NY—Simply historic. Nothing less than one for the ages.
That’s what Monticello’s boys and girls Division III clinching track victories over Liberty translated to as the boys team marshaled its third consecutive division title ,while the Lady Panthers captured their first title in 28 years. Not since the spring of 1984 has a Monticello girls team claimed such bragging rights. That year they won Section Nine titles in the Winter of ’83 and the spring of ’84. So this honor was a long time coming.
For the Monticello boys and girls to emerge victorious they had to stave off the noble Indian Tribe which came with its best effort, evincing personal bests here, there and everywhere countering the sea of blue with their vibrant red as the two flagship schools of Sullivan County went at it.
Not surprisingly, Liberty which by all rights should not have been bumped up to Division III could not keep up with the Monties’ arsenal of weaponry. But to be sure, in some of the events at least, the story was quite compelling.
But most captivating was the unfoliding of the Monticello girls capture of the Division III crown. More on that momentous accomplishment momentarily, the latest volley in Monticello’s rising tide of track feats.
Three years ago when the Montie boys bested Cornwall a new era of Monticello track grandeur was ushered in. Last year’s repeat win over the Dragons was if anything, even more impressive. Doing it a third time suggests the hint of a dynasty. Given the outstanding work of the modified team legions under the careful watch of Coach J. Daniel Granville, there are apt to me more standout runners, jumpers and throwers coming up the pipeline in years to come.
Needless to say this year’s unbeaten Division records by both the boys and girls varsity squads were an outstanding achievement, a product of hard work, great coaching and meet strategy and most of all, the will and determination of a group of special kids. Add to the allure the fact that the girls team is replete with scholar athletes demonstrating the mantra of ancient Greece: “Sound body; sound mind.”
Bright smiles abounded as the girls took their victory lap with their fists raised in the air while the boys were busily plotting to douse Coach Joe Seidl (again) in what has become a traditional rite of spring over the past three years. Lacking a Gatorade bucket, they accomplished the task with bottles of water which dripped down off Seidl’s famous and ever-present red baseball cap onto his bemused face.
Each year brings its own special circumstances and this year was no exception. With nemesis Cornwall bumped up to Division II, the boys would now have to turn their attention to Port Jervis and Liberty.
“We felt in March that Liberty and Port would be tough. As usual, my focus is on the quarter milers and of course team unity/effort,” said Seidl. With a number of key athletes lost to graduation, Seidl and his assistant Matt Buddenhagen had to rework the puzzle, taking into account the team’s strengths and thin spots.
In bygone years Monticello had its share of distance standouts like Brendan Devine, Dave Wilbur and Tom Gonzalez, just to mention a few. With the likes of those tireless warrriors, Monticello could always count on points in the distance events. They’ve been gone awhile now and no such guarantees exist at present.
These days the Monties rely on up-and-coming Joe Klein as the leader of the pack. Despite his youth, he seems prepared to assume the mantle and on this day, his victories in the 1600 (5:08) and the 3200 (11:20) gave Monticello points it hadn’t figured on garnering.
Monticello would have more highlight moments and as Coach Seidl saw it, they also included the following:
Tino Taylor-100 11.0 (PR) 200 22.1 (PR .10 off school record)
Talon Watson-TJ-41’2.5″ (PR) 200-23.1 (PR)
Mike Rogers-PV-10′ (PR)
4 x 100-Terry Duncan/Mistah Alli/Austin Colon/Rahjel Smith 44.2 (.10 off school record)
Track and field athletes are known for their resiliency and mettle as they often compete despite ills and even minor injuries. Liberty’s Kane Sauchuk was fighting off a stomach virus which has kept him out of kilter all week. But in between heaving episodes, Sauchuk still managed to run a winning leg in the Indians’ 3200 relay and win the 110 high hurdles (16.3) and the 400 intermediate hurdles (60.2). By the time this narrative ends I’ll be sure to celebrate more great Indian feats.
For Monticello seniors this day would be special indeed. Montie elder statesmen include Earl Allen, Connor Alvarez, Dan Braunstein, José Cruz, Ian Kolaitis, Garrett LaPolt, Gabriel Ramos, Shatei Reynolds, Onique Taylor, Brendan Thomas and Talon Watson.
Monticello girl seniors include Bryana Sewell, Erica Concors, Katie Fisher, Tania Walker and Alexis Watkins. Prior to the meet the seniors posed for a group shot in anticipation of what they expected would be a memorable day.
Monticello’s sweep of the boys 200 with Taylor missing the school record by .1 of a second, Talon Watson’s 23.1 and Terry Duncan’s 23.3 pointed to the blinding speed the Panthers possess. Figure in the 400 relay which also came in one tenth of a second off the school record at 44.2 and that done w/out Tino Taylor That record is destined to be broken before this season is over.
Liberty’s Andy Hazelnis set PR’s in the long and triple jump. The latter at 41-2 was just a half inch shy of Watson’s winning jump of 41-2 ½. Liberty’s Nikole Snyder broke PR’s with her winning long jump of 15-6 and hear winning 100 time of 13.1. Liberty’s Vinny Webbe hit the stratosphere with his pole vault of 11-0, but Monticello’s Mike Rogers, a newcomer to the event was impressive in his clearing of 10-0. Pictures show just how close he was at 10-6 too. Liberty got its usual standout performance from Rebeccah Harman who captured the 100 hurdles (17.3) and the 400 intermediate hurdles (69.7). She also ran a leg in the victorious 400 relay.
Liberty Coach Deb Simpson listed a bunch of personal bests evinced by the Lady Indians. Some of these did not score but they are personal milestones nevertheless. They included:
Montie twins Camryn and Sydney Johnson were unbeatable.They are the grandaughters of assistant Coach Charlie Delmonico whose 35-year track coaching career at Washingtonville makes him a Hall of Famer.
Much can be said about the girls and their grandpa. First the twins: Camryn won the 1500 (5:38.7) with Sydney in second. The duo was also key in the victorious 3200 relay which they shared with Brittany Rupp and Erica Concors. They added a one-two finish in the 800 as well with Camryn turning in a 2:37.3 and Sydney right behind at 2:41.8.
Delmonico came on to assist Matt Daly with the girls team this year. He was delighted to be on hand for the storied win. “They deserve it,” he noted as he reflected back on his trips to Monticello back in the day. “I remember coming here with Washingtonville’s team and our running on the old cinder track. We had some great meets here. It’s been fun this year working with the distance runners, jumpers and hurdlers and anyone else who needed help. These girls are smart too! Some of them have 99% averages,” he added.
Coach Seidl talked about garnering the three-peat and what it took to bring it off this year. “In track kids graduate and we had to replace them. The expectation is that the younger kids will step up. It was interesting because of the changes in the division. Cornwall left band we had Port Jervis come in as well as Liberty. We lost Burke.
It’s a more even division now. I thought we had the kids to win it, but I knew it would be tough this year. Track is like a puzzle. It’s unique from other sports. You have to match up differently against other teams. We had to shift people around in some meets to see how we’d go against Liberty and Port Jervis. We knew our distance runners would have to pick it up today and they did as we swept the mile,” he noted.
Seidl went on to reference Tino Taylor’s impressive showing as well as the 400 relay. “We’ve got a one-two punch in the triple jump (although on this day Liberty’s Andy Hazelnis broke that up with his second place storied leap).
“Coach Buddenhagen and I are on the same page and we have big expectations for our kids. But frankly, the girls are an even bigger story today,” he noted. “Coach Daly came in and did a phenomenal job, as did assistant Coach Delmonico.”
With that I shifted over to talk to Matt Daly to get his take on the Ladies’ momentous accomplishment.
“We were excited at the beginning of the year even though we had a little turbulence. We came to our first meeting to find a great group of girls. Our numbers were strong and we had the right people in all the right places. We felt we could compete and our goal was to win the division championship,” he averred.
“It was great for the seniors to out like this. Leadership is contagious and it went from our seniors right on down to our eighth graders.” Daly gave props to seniors Erica Concors and Katie Fisher for “trying to get these girls to be even better.”
Here are the results
Boys: OCIAA Division III: Monticello 94, Liberty 47; Liberty 119, Burke 15; Monticello 134, Burke 1
100 meters: 1. Tino Taylor (M) 11.0; 2. Mistah Alli (M) 11.1; 3. Kenny Jaycox (L) 11.4[ 200: 1. Tino Taylor (M) 22.2; 2. Talon Watson (M) 23.1; 3. Terry Duncan (M) 23.3; 400: 1. Tino Taylor (M) 52.5;2. Watson (M) 53.2; 3. Raquon Malloy (L) 56.4; 800: 1.Nery Campos (L) 2: 23.2; C.J Forrest (M);2: 24.1; 3. Ryan Schauer (M) 2;26.5 1,600: 1. Joe Klein (M) 5:08.0; 2.Bryan Gil (M) 5:14.4; 3. Chris Maroldi (M) 5:15.5; 3,200: 1. Klein (M) 11:20.3; 2. Campos (L) 11;26.5; 3. Gil (M) 11:30.5; 110 hurdles: 1. Kane Sauchuck (L) 16.3; 2, Steve Padin (M) 16.8; 3. Michael Rogers (M) 17.2; 400 hurdles: 1. Sauchuk (L) 60.2; 2. Padin (M) 61.2; 3. Erick Cuellar (L) 61.5; 400 relay: 1. Monticello ( Mistah Alli, Terry Duncan, Austin Colon, Rahjel Smith) 44.2; 1,600 relay: 1. Monticello (Talon Watson, Terry Duncan, Austin Colon, TinoTaylor) 3:36.2; 3,200 relay: 1. Liberty (Sauchuk, Campos, Campos, Malloy) 9:08.2; high jump: 1. Colon (M) 5-2; 2. Kyle Hanes (M) 5-0; 3. Otha Smith (M) 5-0; long jump: 1. Mistah Alli (M) no distance; 2. Andy Hazelnis (L) distance not submitted; 3. Jaycox (L) distance not submitted); triple jump: 1.Talon Watson (M) 41-2.5; 2. Hazelnis (L ) 41-2; 3. Alli (M) 40-9; shot put: 1. Garrett LaPolt (M) 43-6.5; 2. Mike Hinton (L) 39-10; 3. Earl Allen (M) 36-9; discus: 1. Hinton (L) 106-8; 2. LaPolt (M) 105-10; 3. G. Klein (L) 102-2; pole vault: 1. Vinny Webbe (L) 11-7; 2. Rogers (M) 10-0; 3. Jose Cruz (M) 9-6.
Note: Burke meets are non-league.
Girls: OCIAA Division III: Monticello 95, Liberty 46; Liberty 92, Burke 47; Monticello 108, Burke 33
100 meters: 1. Nikole Snyder (L) 13.1; 2. Tania Walker (M) 13.3; 3. McDonnell (B) 14.0; 200: 1. Walker (M) 27.3; 2. McDonnell (B) 28.0 3. Snyder (L) 28.3; 400: Walker (M) 64.2; 2. Jaclyn Bellamy (M) 66.2; 3. Bianca Rey (M) 68.4; 800: 1. Camryn Johnson (M) 2:37.3; 2. Sydney Johnson (M) 2:41.8; 3. Julianna Kane (M) 2:47.6; 1,500: 1. Camryn Johnson (M) 5:38.7; 2. Sydney Johnson (M) 5:39.0; 3. Brittany Rupp (M) 5:48.7; 3,000: 1.Brittany Rupp (M) 11:58.3; 2. Camryn Johnson (M) 11:59.2; 3. Sydney Johnson (M) 11:59.3; 100 hurdles: 1. Rebeccah Harman (L) 17.3; 2. D. Saravia (B) no time submitted; 3. Kristen McEnerny (M) no time submitted; 400 hurdles: 1. Harman (L) 69.7; 2. L. Doherty (M) 1:14.4; 3. Erica Concors (M) 1:17.2 400 relay: 1. Liberty (Harman, Snyder, Bertholf, Brickhouse) 54.0; 1,600 relay: 1. Monticello (Walker, Julianna Kane, Jaclyn Bellamy, Erica Concors) 4:34.2; 3,200 relay: 1. Monticello ( Camryn Johnson, Sydney Johnson, Rupp, Concors) 11:11.7; high jump: 1. Doherty (M) 4-8; 2.Walker (B) 4-4; 3. Katie Fishher (M) 4-4; long jump: 1. Snyder (L) 15-6; 2. Doherty (M) 14.6; 3. Yami Reyes (M) 14.5; triple jump: 1. Concors (M) 31-2.5; 2. Harman (L) 30-9; 3. Doherty (M) 29-2; shot put: 1. Alexis Watkins (M) 24-6; 2. Herring (B) 23-1; 3. E. Cano (L) 22-7.75; discus: 1. D. Kisane (B) 57-6; 2. pole vault: 1. Amanda Bertholf (L) 8-6; 2. McEnerny (M) 6-6; Lauren Katz (M) no height submitted.
Note: Burke meets are non-league.
For an album of photos, visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
Uncommon Valor; Undying Pride
Monties Leave It All Out On The Court In Senior Night Clash Versus Powerful Warwick; Team Shows Grit and Character To Represent Storied Program In Coach Atack’s First Instance In Her Two Decades of Coaching Volleyball That Team Won’ t Make Sectionals.
Warwick, 3, Monticello 1: Scores: 25-17, 23-25, 25-17, 25-19
By RICHARD A. ROSS
rross@sportsinsightsny.com
Scenes from Monticello's Senior Night game versus Warwick: (Clockwise): Cassi Smithem rises above the net to answer the challenge. Seniors Cassi Smithem, Katie Fisher and Dayanara Torres, the Monties' volleyball motto, Warwick sophomore Maddie Zwicki blasts a ball to the floor for a riveting point, Shamira Moore shows her great vertical leap and defensive verve, Warwick's Liz Lepski fires it towards the Monties.
MONTICELLO, NY—“There’s a first time for everything,” observed Ed Kaufmann, Monticello’s longstanding volleyball assistant coach who teamed up with Coach Karen Atack for 18 years in addition to coaching a variety of other sports including softball and wrestling as part of his 34-year career at Monticello before his retirement in 2009.
Kaufmann was referring to the fact that this would mark the first time in Atack’s 20 years at the volleyball helm that her team would not make it to sectionals. That streak which represents one of Section Nine’s milestones was a product of an unwavering commitment and work ethic that the coach has instilled in her teams year after year.
Shamira Moore takes her game to a new level as she rises above the net versus Warwick.
Nothing lasts forever.
That’s a fact of life and even storied runs like Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak or Monroe-Woodbury’s 63-game consecutive football victories against Section Nine opponents must eventually come to an end.
Upon the occasion of Kaufmann’s retirement , Atack lauded him by saying, “We made a pact to strive for excellence and you kept your part of the bargain.” Needless to say, the Coach has and continues to live up to her word as well.
Though this story is about her current team’s home finale, a loss to a powerful Warwick team whose only defeats have come against behemoths Pine Bush and Cornwall, a bit more needs to be said about Atack here for what she models, teaches and requires from her players.
Atack calls forth their best and demands impeccable deportment and commitment. She’s tough that’s for sure..but caring even more so. In return for what she exacts from her players, she imparts to them values that will serve them for the rest of their lives.
Just such tributes were inscribed on the thank you poster team members had written on which they presented to her prior to the game. Zoom in on the photo of the poster in the accompanying album to read those words. They speak of gratitude, respect and thanks.
Encouragement, mentorship and wise management make for great coaching: Case in point Warwick's Patrick Ellis. His team's success speaks for itself.
Atack’s extraordinary run at the helm began after taking over from Mary Bury in 1990. In a match against Goshen on October 12, 2007, the Lady Panthers garnered what would become Atack’s 300th career win against 66 defeats at that juncture.
That season the Monties went on to make to the Class A finals where they lost to Cornwall. More victories have been added to the ledger since then though the Lady Panthers have not gotten back to the finals.
During the Atack reign, Monticello has won 10 conference championships that included six undefeated seasons, four Section Nine titles (the last coming in 2001 when Atack was named Coach of the Year), eight Section Nine runner-ups, several OCIAA Sportsmanship Awards and one state Scholar Championship.
Prior to the game three Monticello seniors were honored. Cassi Smithem played in the program for five years. She claims that the volleyball program has taught her life lessons and given her an experience she’ll never forget. Smithem thanked her mom for her 100 percent attendance at her games during her career.. “It meant more to me than she will ever know.”
Katie Fisher is a six year veteran who plans to go to college to study biomedical engineering and then continue on to medical school. “A heartwarming thanks to her parents and her sister Jackie for their undying support and thanks Coach Atack and Coach K and she will miss her days of playing volleyball for Montie High,” comprised her parting words.
Dayanara Torres thanks her mom for all of her hard work. A five year player at Monticello, Torres plans to attend college next year and to study psychology.
Monticello's volleyball legacy is impressive to say the least under Atack's watch. This banner reflects the most recent v-ball triumph that adorn the gym.
Kaufmann was honored as well and posed for a picture with the trio of elder stateswomen.
The Lady Wildcats of Warwick came in sporting a 12-2 record. Their only defeats came against ten-time defending Class AA champion Pine Bush and seven-time defending Class A champion Cornwall. The likely two-seed in the upcoming sectionals, Warwick hopes to break through finally to defeat Pine Bush for a title, a team they’ve lost to in the championships every year since 2007.
Given Monticello’s record, they had to be surprised by the Lady Panthers’ defensive verve. As Coach Patrick Ellis would note following his team’s victory. “They’re a scrappy team. It didn’t matter what we were putting out. They were all over the place picking up a lot of our stuff. They’re really good defensively,” he averred.
Monticello’s inspiring play during the match was defined by hustle, great teamwork and resilience. Having not seen them since the early part of the season, this writer was astonished at their progress.
“We have come such a long way. Even against Pine Bush..we got 15 points off of them. Ed and I agreed that Pine Bush was the top third team that we had ever seen play during our career.”
Great competitive play: Warwick's Erin Byrne and Monticello's Cassi Smithem meet at the net.
Shamira Moore is one of the people that has shown the most improvement on our team. At the beginning of the year she was hitting the net about 14 times.
She did it four times today but her elbow is now above the net and she is going to be a tremendous player next year I believe,” noted Atack.
Moore was not the only player Atack would cite. “Cassi represented Monticello very well tonight. She never gives up.
This was senior night and our goal was to leave heart and soul on the floor tonight and to be mentally and physically drained.. Looking at Cassi (and others) you could say that that happened,” she noted.
“Unleash the Beast,” is Monticello’s volleyball motto, emblazoned on the back of their warm up t-shirts and adorning the wall in the legendary “Pit.” Fisher took that sentiment to heart as she scored the first point of the night at the net. She was answered by a booming blast from sophomore setter Maddie Zwicki. Warwick made it 3-1 before Moore effected a nice block for the Lady Panthers.
Smithem tied it up and the Monties soon took a 5-3 lead but Warwick fought right back to tie it up at seven apiece. Again the Monties pushed to the fore front with an ace from Torres. The game was tied again at 11-all before Warwick went on a 5-0 run. Smithem’s net play kept the Monties in the game as did Moore’s digs as the Lady Wildcats now led 20-17 Warwick scored the last five points with junjior outside hitter Taylor Baldwin on the service line. Warwick took the first set 25-17.
A group of Montie males entered the bleachers bare chested with the words spelling out GO PANTHERS! collectively painted on their chests.
The Lady Monties played their best in set number two as they beat Warwick 25-23.
Katryna Rokicki began the service but Warwick pulled out to a quick 3-0 lead that soon burgeoned to a 7-1 margin behind senior outside hitter Lexi Pascal’s service. “Let’s go Panthers, let’s go,” chanted the home crowd and Moore soon dealt an ace to help the Panthers’ comeback reach 7-4.
Monticello's Katie Fisher slashes a ball by a rising Liz Lepski to the delight of the home crowd in "The Pit."
Smithem cut the lead to 7-6 with her play at the net. Katie Fisher spiked it in before the teams exchanged miscues by hitting it into net. Warwick maintained its lead as it moved ahead to 15-11 but the Monties responded as Moore made a nice block at the net as part of a run that reversed the polarity of the game in Monticello’s favor. Warwick was still in the lead at 21-17 but the Monties refused to relent.
Ellis called a time out as his team’s lead shrank to one at 21-20. With Aimee Rice at the service line the Monties tied it up and then went in the lead 22-21. A kill by Warwick senior Rachel Janes tied it up. Warwick got ahead again for the last time at 23-22 before the Lady Monties socred the last three points for the win behind Smithem’s service.
The teams battled mightily in the early going as Monticello dug out balls that were veering towards the floor on their way to an early 8-3 lead. Taylor’s service enabled Warwick to fight right back in a set they’d win by eight points erelong.
Monticello led 14-9 at one juncture, looking to take a pivotal lead in the match but they were outscored 16-3 as the tide turned dramatically in Warwick’s favor as they won 25-17 to take a 2-1 lead.
The final match was a bit closer at 25-19. It too featured relentlessly strong defense by the Lady Monties who continued to play with unflagging intensity.
Mutual respect and good sportsmanship are the hallmarks of admirable programs like Warwick and Monticello. They are a credit to their schools, communities, their parents and coaches whom they represent.
Ellis agreed that his team has some really fine hitters. ‘But we weren’t playing to where we have been,” he noted. “What we did really well tonight was that we stayed focus through a lot of the longer rallies. We didn’t have a lot of service errors. We’ve had a few games where we’ve gotten into the service error factor a few times. Tonight we took the time to get the solid serves in that we needed at crucial times,” he added.
Asked about what still needs work, he responded, “The biggest thing is energy level on our side of the net and the communication factor..keeping the energy high and when you have that lull in the gym without the crown on your side to keep you up. We need to work on that.
Warwick which is undefeated (6-0) in Division II figures to lock horns with Pine Bush again in the sectionals.
Top performers:
Monticello: Shamira Moore 3 aces, 11 service points, 3 assists, 6 kills, 8 digs; Cassi Smithem 2 aces, 5 service points, 3 assists, 3 kills, 6 digs; Aimee Rice 7 service points, 6 kills, 8 digs.
Warwick: Erin Byrne 2 aces, 12 service points, 8 kills, 4 blocks, 2 digs; Maddie Zwickl 20 service points, 14 assists, 8 kills, 6 digs; Taylor Baldwin 2 aces, 9 service points, 14 assists, 5 kills, 4 digs.
Records: Monticello 7-11; Warwick 13-2.
“Our goal is improvement,” said Atack. We’ve lost a lot of people and we have a lot to make up and we’re willing to accept the challenge going forward, said the iconic coach.
Despite this year’s shortfall in terms of wins, the Monticello volleyball story goes on and this writer for one, can’t wait for 2012 to pen the next chapter.
For an album of photos, visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
Back To Basics
Monticello Sweeps Non-League Series Against Sullivan West As Teams Approach New Season Stressing Fundamentals
Non-league: Monticello d. Sullivan West 3-1
Game scores: 26-24, 25-11, 21-25, 25-15
By RICHARD A. ROSS
rross@sportsinsightsny.com
Season opening series: Monticello completes the sweep of the season opening non-;league matches against Sullivan West by a 3-1 score in a closely contested series of games. Clockwise: 2011 Lady Monties- Front row left to right: Katryna Rokicki, Cassi Smithem, Katie Fisher. Second row: Aimee Rice, Yadira Montes, Kiyara Bracy and Shamira Moore. Third row:: Dayanara Torres, Yamilersy Reyes, Saige Sanford, Shivani Patel, Marcella Fernandez and Ashley Falu. Katie Fisher serves and Yadira Montes does her magic at the net. Bottom right: Chelsie Stauch returns a serve and Karalii Rabii readies for a volley. Lady Bulldogs 2011: Front row left to right: Rebecca Corcillo and Brittney Milk. Second row: Courtney Landers, Karalii Rabii, Brittany Roa, Barbara Whittaker, Melissa McCormack, Alexa Buday, Chelsie Stauch and Erika Stauch.
LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY—A new season is always about starting over. But for Monticello iconic coach Karen Atack, losing ten of her players who graduated last June makes that phrase even more literally accurate.
With only four seniors on the roster including just two who saw significant playing time last year in Katie Fisher and Cassi Smithem, Atack’s youngsters have their work cut out for them as they face a bevy of Class AA teams in their schedule in addition to juggernaut division rival Cornwall and other league contenders in Port Jervis and Goshen. Veteran junior Katryna Rokicki was also part of last year’s fine team and as the team’s first server, she looks to try and lend her expertise to the cause.
That said, even with the exit of so much talent, Class A Monticello has emerged 2-0 with a pair of match wins over Class C Sullivan West.
For their part, the Lady Bulldogs ably coached by Cliff Kelly is fielding a time almost entirely blessed with prior experience. Having made sectionals for the past three years in a row, Sullivan West, with only two seniors in the fold in Rebecca Corcillo and Brittney Milk, look sharper and more cohesive than they did a year ago.
Monticello's first server: junior veteran Katryna Rokicki
The result was much closer play against Monticello, a team that in prior years bested them far more easily. In fact, Sullivan West won the second game of this match by the score of 25-11 riding the overpowering service of junior Karalii Rabbi who posted a game-high 21 points to go along with her two blocks and four kills.
The teams looked very evenly matched in the opening set as the Monties prevailed 26-24 in a game Kelly felt really could easily have been won by his squad. He challenged his team in the break between sets and the Lady Bulldogs answered the challenge in the second set as they dominated Monticello 25-11.
The Lady Monties led by the opening service of Rokicki bolted out to a 7-0 lead. Rokicki ripped a quartet of aces in that initial surge. Sullivan West fought back but couldn’t muster a sustained run as the Monties prevailed 25-18 for the win. In their prior match staged in the Monticello Pit, Monticello won games to one, oddly beginning the set with another 26-24 nail biter.
After this match Atack noted, “We’ll take the win. We still have a lot to work on. Tonight different people stepped up in different areas. Katryna served first for a reason. She did lead in serves. Yadira Montes is supposed to be the leading person handling balls at the net which she did. We still need basic skills. These girls are very willing to work hard and together. I’m happy with certain things, but realistically we still have a lot of hard work ahead of us. Fundamental skill is nearly where it needs to be. We did have some communication problems. Monticello faces three games in the next three school days as they begin the next part of their schedule taking on Class AA Kingston, Washingtonville and Valley Central.
Kelly said, “We had our moments and our opportunities to win these games. We just shot ourselves in the foot a couple of times. We had good servers and good positions. “ Kelly feels his team is better than it was a year ago. Sullivan West is entering the league portion of its schedule with matches against Fallsburg, Liberty and Tuxedo.
Monticello top performers: Katie Fisher 12 points, 5 kills; Yadira Montez 9 points, 7 assists, 10 kills.
Sullivan West top performers: Karalii Rabii 21 points, 2 blocks, 4 kills, 4 digs; Rebecca Corcillo 4 points, 2 blocks, 5 kills, 2 digs; Erica Stauch 8 points; Chelsea Stauch 6 points, 5 kills; Melissa McCormack 6 points, 4 blocks, 4 digs.
Team records: Monticello 2-0; Sullivan West 0-2.
For an album of photos visit www.sportsinsights.smugmug.com
