After upsetting No. 4 Harrison in the Class AA quarterfinals, most people figured the fifth-seeded Wolf Pac volleyball team’s season would end in a semifinal showdown with No. 1 Greeley.
But despite getting beaten soundly in two sets, Mahopac found its rhythm—and a way to beat the Quakers in a stunning five-set upset that sent the Pac to the finals for the first time since 2004.
Mahopac ended its season with a disappointing loss to three-seed Yorktown, disappointing because 18th year coach Jay Melville and the Wolf Pac know they didn’t play their best match. The Pac closed at 12-9.
Yet it still ended up being one of the best seasons in school history.
Melville said his girls knew they could challenge Greeley going into the semis.
“We definitely felt like we had a chance at Greeley,” he said. “They were the two-time section champ, with some big hitters and a big defense.
“But we were familiar with them,” Melville went on. “That helped, and we knew if we didn’t make some of the mistakes that can slow us down, we had a chance. That was a very rare experience - to go into No. 1 and take the win. It was a great experience for the girls.”
Senior captain and setter Bella DeChico, and sophomore hitter Taylor Ann Vitiello earned All-Section and All-League honors, while senior libero/hitter and captain Olivia Hoyt took All-League accolades.
“Bella and Taylor Ann really earned those (All-Section) picks,” Melville said. “They really stood out as two of the best in the section. Bella was a third-year starter, and continued to improve her hitting, and Taylor is a solid and strong all-around player, and her hitting really carried us through matches. She’s one of the best I’ve had. Olivia was also a third-year player, solid all-around. Her defense was outstanding, and she’s a very smart player.
“The girls who played really all stepped up,” the coach added. “That’s why we got so far, a lot of people stepped up. Vivien Zucchi really improved during the season, Nadia Stepinac moved sides, and did a great job blocking and hitting. Regan O’Boyle stepped up, Leona Ademi (captain), Sophia Camastro, and Alenah Gomes, they all made big plays.”
Mahopac loses seven seniors to graduation, most of whom saw a lot of playing time. But the Pac has talent coming back and could be a dangerous team again next year.
“We have some good pieces returning,” Melville said. “Taylor Ann, Vivien, Sophia (DeMayo), Lily Slizowski, and we have some good talent on the JV, so we should be competitive.”
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