Fairport, Webster Schroeder make program debuts at state girls volleyball championships
We'll see if Fairport and Webster Schroeder is committed enough to return home as girls volleyball state champions.
Fairport has followed the motto "commit" all season long. It's helped the Red Raiders become a two-time Section V champion and punch a ticket to states for the first time in program history. They overcame a 2022 regional loss to Section VI's Lancaster by beating the Legends twice this season, including Saturday's region final.
Webster Schroeder is also making its state tournament debut. The Warriors last won a Section V title in 2015, when they fell to Section VI's Clarence in regionals.
Both squads will participate in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Girls Volleyball Championships this weekend in Glens Falls. The last Section V team to win state was coach Matt Glover's Victor Blue Devils in 2021.
NYSPHSAA girls volleyball championships
When: Saturday are the semifinals, finals are Sunday.
Where: Cool Insuring Arena.
Class AAA: Fairport vs. Section IX's Pine Bush, Section II's Shenendehowa vs. Section VIII's Massapequa, 8 a.m.
While reigning state champion Shenendehowa is on the other side of the bracket, Fairport (19-0) isn't overlooking its semifinal battle. The Red Raiders learned how to close matches with a tough 3-1 win over Lancaster.
"I hope they are proud of themselves no matter what the outcome is this weekend," Fairport coach Trish Forgensi said. "Our goal was to make it to states, now our goal is to win states. ... Our next focus is to play hard against a really solid team."
Class AA: Webster Schroeder vs. Section IX's Cornwall Central, Section III's West Genesee vs. Section VIII's Long Beach, 10:15 a.m.
After receiving the regional plaque, Schroeder coach Pete DeWitte gathered his team to tell them the significance of winning the program's first region championship. If the Warriors play defense like they did in the crossover match and regional round against Frontier, they should be in good shape.
"My defense, that's what we key on in practice," DeWitte said. "Once in a while we get a kill, and it works."
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NY state girls volleyball championships: 2 Section V teams debut
