North Salem Volleyball’s Cinderella Season Ends in Section Finals

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - For North Salem’s volleyball team, it was a tale of two seasons. 

The Tigers were slow out of the gate, opening the year with an 0-4 record. But as time went on, the roster stacked with upperclassmen found their spark. 

And that spark became a fire. 

Once the squad worked off the rust, they roared down the stretch to a 10-8 record and secured the #2 seed in the sectional tournament. 

Their first postseason test would come at home in the semi-final matchup with Alexander Hamilton on Nov. 7.

The Tigers made short work of the visitors with a decisive 25-12, 25-17, 28-26 sweep. 

Addy Moia (19 kills, 15 digs, 2 aces), Ally Maza (7 kills, 7 digs, 3 aces), Sadie Matt (31 assists, 14 digs, 4 kills, 3 aces), Sophia Miller (17 digs), and Avery Schoenberg (9 digs) all turned in strong performances to send the Raiders packing. 

With the first postseason win under their belts, the team was ready to take the big stage.

North Salem squared off with Tuckahoe at the Westchester County Center on Nov. 10, with the section championship hanging in the balance. 

Neither Tiger team was willing to give an inch, with North Salem taking the first set 25-19. Despite numerous back-and-forth exchanges, they would drop the next three sets 21-25, 22-25, 16-25.

The sharp combination of Moia (25 kills, 19 digs, 3 aces, 2 blocks), Maza (8 kills, 5 digs, 3 blocks, 3 aces), Miller (14 digs), and Matt (32 assists, 13 digs, 4 kills, 2 aces) was once again on display, and Lauren Ndreu (3 kills, 2 blocks), Victoria Gjushi (13 digs), and Cora Kennedy (13 digs) all fought hard to try to keep the season alive. 

Despite the heartbreak of coming up short of a section title, Coach Toni Fiore and the Tigers held their heads high. 

“The growth observed from last season to this season was absolutely remarkable. To go from only winning three games to making an appearance in the section finals is a momentous achievement,” said Coach Fiore. 

With the season over, the Tigers will bid farewell to seniors Mia Cerny, Victoria Gjushi, Ruby Molina, Lauren Ndreu, and Avery Schoenberg. 

As she reflected on this season’s successes, Coach Fiore also looked to future of the program. 

“The leadership and energy of this group was unlike any team I have ever coached before, and I think that is what allowed us to be so successful,” Fiore concluded. “As a coach, I just want players to have the same love for volleyball that I do, and this team has demonstrated that they do. It is certainly a bittersweet moment as every end of the season is. The team will miss our five seniors a lot, they were great leaders and really developed and embodied our team culture. However, I think this season really demonstrated the potential that the North Salem volleyball program has, and I am excited for what the future holds.”