Kings Park eliminated in pool play
Kings Park's Joelle Goldstein hits the smash during the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class A Regional tournament between Kings Park and Pittsford Sutherland. (Nov. 17, 2012) Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
GLENS FALLS, N.Y -- Joelle Goldstein held her finger in the air. One. As in, one point needed to win. It took three tries, but Kings Park finally got that point, winning their second volleyball game against Pittsford Sutherland and evening up their afternoon pool play record at 1.
Unfortunately for the Kingsman, they couldn't find that magic enough. Kings Park was eliminated Saturday, putting an end to a memorable season. Two losses to Burnt Hills as pool play wound down officially closed the Kings Park book.
Kings Park finished the regular season 11-0. They shut out South Side in the Class A final, paving the way to Glens Falls.
Along the way, contributions were seen from a host of players. Amanda Gannon had 16 kills, two aces, and two blocks in the win over South Side.
The 25-19 second game win came after a 25-21 first game loss Saturday. But the two were very much connected. Down 17-12 in the first game, Kings Park rallied to tie the score at 19, and again at 20. Although five of the next six points went to Pittsford Sutherland, the confidence level for Kings Park was high.
"We had a little bit of a slow start," Kings Park coach Elizabeth Manly said. "Once we built up confidence, we kept going and we able to run our offense.
"We [also] played good defense and served well," Manly said. "We were able to take them out of their game."
Kings Park turned the good vibes gathered from the second game victory into a 25-8 domination of Cortlandt Manor Walter Panas. The Kingsman built a 7-0 lead and cruised to the easy win.
A key Kathleen Benson block set up game point for Kings Park in the second set with Panas. The block stymied a three point, late game run -- one that brought Panas to within 23-15. Goldstein nailed down the final point and gave the Kingsman their third victory in pool play.
It would also be their final one.
