Burnt Hills still dominates
Spartans still on top of Suburban Council after 3-0 win against Saratoga
Every player who competed for the Burnt Hills girls’ volleyball team Tuesday night proved — despite what the optic nerve might transmit — smiles can be seen clearly under black or blue face masks.
Section II’S premier program, led by the area’s preeminent coach, is back again and at the top of the Suburban Council.
The Spartans, winners of the 2019 Class A state championship, had their 2020 fall season shifted by the coronavirus pandemic into the Fall Season II format in which teams are currently competing during March and April. Burnt Hills improved to 6-0 overall and 5-0 in Suburban Council play after a 3-0 victory against Saratoga.
“I have been waiting for this,” Burnt Hills senior setter Claire Isaksen said. “We’re having so much fun, especially in practices. Just being together is good.”
“It is so much fun to be playing again,” Burnt Hills junior outside Callie Chevalier said. “I was really scared we were not going to get to play this season. I played basketball as well. Once we had a basketball season, we figured we would have our volleyball season.”
“We are all doing what we love again, and with spectators again. We’re back at it,” Burnt Hills junior outside hitter Carlie Rzeszotarski said. “It is amazing.”
There will be no sectional tournament nor the pursuit of the program’s eighth state championship at the end of this altered season, yet there is the potential for three matches in the seasonending Suburban Council tournament. Right now, what lies ahead does not matter to the Spartans.
Burnt Hills opened with a superlative first set against the Blue Streaks (2-4, 1-3) and prevailed 25-8. The Spartans opened up a 22-5 spread in the second set before eventually winning 25-17. In the third set, Isaksen served well to open things and Burnt Hills won the first 16 points before closing things with a 25-5 score.
“We’re played almost error-free volleyball in the first set,” Burnt Hills coach Gary Bynon said. “I am really happy with that . ... The biggest thing is we keep getting better, and we have not played our best match yet. We’re just trying to get to that point.”
Burnt Hills, a varsity program that has dropped only one Suburban Council match since 1990, defeated Shenendehowa in three sets Friday on Senior Night. It marked the first time this season fans were allowed into the gym.
“I really think we are on the upward swing,” said Rzeszotarski, the Times Union’s 2019 Player of the Year, who had eight kills Tuesday. “We’re working hard in practice and transferring that into games. The Shen win was really big for us, especially winning it in three (sets). We came out and did what we needed to do.”
“Usually, our fans are so loud. It was strange not having people saying anything,” said Chevalier, who delivered a team-best 13 kills with just two hitting errors against Saratoga. “It was great having that support again.”
“It was so great (Friday) to have fans for the first time,” Bynon said. “It was nice to have people cheering for them. The kids went a long time without competition. We have five great senior leaders and a group that has struck through everything.”
All five seniors in the program have made their college commitments. Isaksen, the Times Union’s 2018 Player of the Year, is headed to play next at Division III national power Ithaca. Ella Katz is headed to play at Division II Le Moyne, Micaela Choi at West Point, Haileigh Deming at Oneonta, and Alex Ayers at Geneseo.
“Next week, we have five games. It is sorted of all packed in, but it is great to be able to play every team we want,” said Isaksen, who in addition to her serving prowess produced 29 assists and five kills against Saratoga. “We’re having good competition and just playing is amazing.”
“You can’t forget what (Isaksen) means to this team, and what the five seniors mean to this team,” Bynon said. “It has been so impressive what they have done. You want the best for them and you keep wanting everything to work out. I am just so proud of these kids for what they do and how they handle themselves. They are handling the protocols and doing it all right. I hope they can get this full season. They represent us so well.”