Haldane Going Back to Glens Falls, Panthers One Win Away From NYS Final 4
Walter Panas junior Brigitte Burcescu (smiling above) secured MVP honors, slamming 29 kills and 20 blocks on her 16th birthday, surpassing 500 kills and snapping her sister Vivian’s school single-season kills record as Panas waltzed into the NYS Final 4 after a 23-25, 25-17, 18-25, 25-8, 25-15 come-from-behind win over Section 9’s Cornwall in the Class A regional semifinals at Carmel High School.
Panas, which won the first sectional title in school history last Thursday, advanced to the regional final to face Section 4’s Vestal. Allie Patriciello (above center) had 56 assists for Panas and Victoria Fletcher had 22 digs.
Defending NYS Class D champion Haldane eased into the NYS Final 4 after crushing Section 9 champion O’Neill, 25-12, 25-5, 25-10, at James O’Neill High School Sunday afternoon, securing the Blue Devils’ third consecutive regional title. Kelly Vahos had six kills and six aces. Seniors Lauren Etta (seven kills, nine assists) and Claudia Percacciolo (10 assists) led the attack, which also featured key contributions from Katie Cunningham (eight kills).
The Blue Devils (14-7), who haven’t lost a set in the post season, will head north to their home away from home: Glens Falls, for this Friday’s state semis.
Ray has 33 years experience covering and photographing local sports in Westchester and Putnam counties, including everything from Little League/Travel Baseball to varsity high school prep sports and collegiate coverage. He has been a sports editor at Examiner Media since its inception in 2007.
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