Cardinal Spellman came into the season a dangerous mix of youth and inexperience. The Pilots have had their ups and their downs.
“I have this schizophrenic team,” coach Jeri Faulkner said. “I don’t know who’s gonna show up.”
There’s one thing for certain, though: they have gotten better since September.
On Tuesday, Spellman defeated host St. Joseph Hill, 25-19, 21-25, 25-15, 25-15, in the CHSAA New York Archdiocesan quarterfinals on Staten Island. The Pilots will meet either Preston or Sacred Heart of Westchester in the semifinals Friday. Those teams play Wednesday.
“I’ve done lots of drills with them,” Faulkner said of her players. “They kind of know the game better. They’re learning the intricacies of the game, like where to hit the ball rather than just hitting it over.”
Siobhan Flattery had 11 assists and four blocks, Caitlin Huber had 30 digs, Laura McCaffrey had 12 digs and four aces and Cari English had eight kills for Spellman (9-4). And beating Hill (11-2) was no easy task. Led by Kristen Luisi and Nicole Gundacker, the Hilltoppers won the first CHSAA Staten Island title in program history.
“That’s the best I’ve seen a Staten Island team,” Faulkner said. “I was impressed.”
Huber has been a pleasant surprise for the Pilots. Faulkner moved her to libero with impressive results.
“She passes the heck out of the ball,” the coach said. “She’s always at the right place at the right time. She’s really stepped up and come a long way.”
Huber, Monica Muffoletto, Anisha Gibson and Alexandra Feliz, the team’s senior captains, have been stalwarts on a team lacking experience.
“I’m really going to miss them next year,” Faulkner said. “I’ll have the height, but not that passing.”
This year isn’t over yet, though. If Spellman meets rival Preston for the third time, it should be a good one. The Pilots played much better against the Panthers, taking a set off them, the last time they played.
“Oh man, did we play a good game against them,” Faulkner said. “It was the best we played.”
Spellman is still in the mix, like it has been for just about all of Faulkner’s 29 years coaching the program. That fact isn’t lost on league coaches either.
“Spellman always comes out strong,” St. Catharine Academy coach Melissa Rosso said. “I never count out Spellman.”
St. Catharine Academy 3, Cathedral 0: Lauren Paylor had 10 assists and Alessandra Rosso and Amarilda Shkoza each had four kills to lead St. Catharine (13-0) in the CHSAA New York Archdiocesan quarterfinals at Monsignor Scanlan in The Bronx. SCA will meet Maria Regina, which defeated St. Vincent Ferrer on Tuesday, in the semifinals Friday.