Yorktown enjoyed historic seasons from both its girls and boys volleyball squads, which each came to an end in pool play in Class AA at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) championships on Nov. 22, the first time both teams ever made it to the state tournament.
“It meant the world to me,” said Yorktown girls coach Gigi Kemp of her team’s success. “I have been coaching for more than 25 years (eight at Yorktown) and this was the first time my team won the section. These girls worked hard all season through thick and thin to be able to win. Winning the gold ball (for the section title) was an honor.”
Yorktown second-year boys coach TJ Pufahl, who between college and high school has coached volleyball for more than a decade, was equally proud of his team.
“Coaching this group during such a historic season has been an absolute privilege,” Pufahl said. “We had a lot of ‘firsts’ this season, like winning the section championship and going to the state championship. What made it special wasn’t just the wins, but the way these athletes showed up for each other every single day. Their work ethic, their belief in one another, and the way they handled both the highs and the heartbreaks says everything about who they are.”
Section 1 champion Yorktown competed at the Harding Mazzotti Arena in Glens Falls, first facing Section 5 champion Webster Schroeder, the winners of the 2023 state title, falling 2-1 (18-25, 25-22, 10-15). The Huskers were led in that contest by Natalia Lyon (16 digs, 3 kills, 1 ace), Kaitlyn Riordan (4 digs), Mia Riordan (6 digs), Nina Fasce (10 digs, 11 assists), Haley Allen (15 digs, 4 assists), Olivia Brackett (5 kills), Emma McCoy (10 kills, 3 blocks, 1 dig), Julia Amado (4 digs, 6 kills, 1 block), and All-Tournament selection Kailey Alexander (6 kills, 4 blocks).
“It feels amazing to be named on the All-Tournament team,” Alexander said. “I am so grateful and really appreciative that I was picked. I feel like this recognizes my hard work and abilities, which I can’t wait to further develop next year.”
The Huskers followed by playing Section 8 champion Garden City, with the Long Island school winning 2-1 (21-25, 25-18, 15-11). Lyon (6 digs, 4 kills, 2 blocks), Mia Riordan (7 digs), Fasce (5 assists, 2 digs), Allen (7 digs, 1 kill, 4 assists), McCoy (4 kills, 2 blocks, 1 dig), Amado (6 blocks, 3 digs) and Alexander (9 kills, 4 blocks, 1 dig) did the damage against Garden City.
Yorktown’s final match came in a 2-0 (25-27, 21-25) loss to Section 9 champion Warwick, paced by Lyon (11 digs, 5 kills, 1 assist), Fasce (6 assists, 1 dig), Allen (10 digs, 1 ace, 1 assist), and Alexander (4 kills, 1 block, 1 assist).
“It felt so surreal to make it this far especially since no other Yorktown (girls) volleyball team has gotten to states,” said Alexander, a junior. “I’m so glad I got to be a part of this team that made Yorktown history and I love all these girls so much which made it even better. I absolutely can’t wait for next season. My goal is to hopefully help lead the new team we’ll have next year to states and not only just by making it there, but to actually win the state championship.”
A good work ethic and wanting to find a way to win led the Huskers (16-7) to their success this fall.
“We practiced different skills that applied to the game and they (her players) kept bringing it up to a higher level,” Kemp said.
The Section 1 champion Huskers (20-2) competed at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, with their pool consisting of Section 8 champion Roslyn, Section 6 champion West Seneca West, and Section 2 champion Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.
The Huskers fell to West Seneca West 2-0 (8-25, 18-25), Roslyn 2-0 (22-25, 18-25), and Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake 2-0 (23-25, 24-26).
“To watch my current seniors (Justin Sek, Jack Brunner, and Franklin Ringel) grow over the last few years, push boundaries, and make school history is something I’ll always be proud of,” Pufahl said. “Even though we fell short in the state championship, the legacy they’ve built goes beyond a scoreboard. I’m grateful to be their coach and I wouldn’t have changed a thing about this season.”
Pufahl said that the team’s success came from a combination of commitment, chemistry, and trust.
“Every player understood their role and embraced it,” Pufahl said. “Some of my players have been playing together since seventh grade, and this created a level of connection you can’t coach. The talent was there, but the real difference was their mindset and the way they played for each other. That’s what carried us to such an incredible season and I’m glad they were able to achieve success, together, before they (the seniors) graduated.”
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