Dynasty continues: Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake wins 24th straight Section 2 girls' volleyball title
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SARATOGA SPRINGS - For 23 consecutive seasons, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake girls' volleyball coach Gary Bynon watched his players rush each other on the court and celebrate capturing a Section 2 title.
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On Friday evening, Bynon looked on for a 24th time in as many seasons as his top-seeded Spartans swept No. 2 Bethlehem, 25-20, 25-16, 25-13, to claim the Class AA title at Saratoga Springs High School.
"These are young kids," Bynon said. "Every team has their own championship. I told them today that before we went out. I said, ‘Listen, we're not here to repeat history. We're here to make it,' because this is theirs. It's not mine."
Burnt Hills, ranked third in the state Class AA poll, captured its 31st championship overall.
"This group is such an amazing team together," Burnt Hills junior outside hitter Alex Wemyss said. "I've never felt so close to a team in my life I don't think. We're all just best friends. We're all so young and I think we're all still developing. Every practice, every game, we're just getting better."
Burnt Hills junior setter Leah Vaughan delivered 33 assists, and eighth grader Ella Tassone added 13 kills and five digs. Bethlehem senior setter Mae Walston provided 18 assists and sophomore Madelyn Palmer totaled seven kills.
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake celebrates after beating Bethlehem for the Section 2, Class AA title on Friday, Nov. 6, in Saratoga, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union) (Jim Franco/Times Union)Key moment
Burnt Hills trailed by five points on three separate occasions in the opening set. Facing an 18-13 deficit, the Spartans used an 8-0 run to regain control. Wemyss totaled seven service points in the spurt and served up a blistering ace to level the set, 18-18.
"It's so exciting being on this court and being in this gym with all these people," Wemyss said. "I think it's so great to come back from that with a team like this, especially in the sectionals, because (Bethlehem) is so amazing."
"You can't make up five points in one serve, but you've got to score that one and then you've got to score another one," Bynon added. I thought that (Wemyss') big serves gave us that momentum. (Bethlehem is) such a good team and for us to be able to do that was a great thing."
Star of the game
Wemyss has been tremendous all season for Burnt Hills, but she played a crucial role in the Spartans weathering the storm in the first set as well as the remainder of the match.
Wemyss finished Friday's match with 16 kills, nine digs, and four aces.
"I think she's one of the top six rotation (outside hitters) in this area," Bynon said. "You can see she's a competitor. When the lights are on in the big stage, you want her on your team."
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake celebrates after beating Bethlehem for the Section 2, Class AA title on Friday, Nov. 6, in Saratoga, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union) (Jim Franco/Times Union)Numbers to know
1,998:Assists that Vaughan has recorded in her outstanding career.
13:Digs recorded by Burnt Hills senior libero Audri Chamberlain.
11:Kills registered by Eagles sophomore Brynn Sollien.
What's next
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake:The Spartans (17-1 overall) will host the Section 3 winner in a regional final at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13.
Bethlehem:The Eagles wrapped up an outstanding season at 15-4.
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