Volleyball: Millbrook sweeps Port Jefferson to reach Class C state semifinals

Members of the Millbrook volleyball team were delighted, but also in disbelief, hands to their faces and mouthing, "Oh my God!"

There was laughter when the players got their first glimpse of Shawn Stoliker's new look, the coach removing the beard he had been growing for more than four years to make good on a bet.

The deal was that if the Blazers could get through their sectional bracket ― which required upsetting a two-time defending state champion — Stoliker would finally shave. He went back to a handlebar mustache, eschewing the ZZ Top for a Hulk Hogan.

"They didn't think I'd follow through," the formerly hirsute coach said. "But they held up their end, so I had to keep my word."

Momentum: Millbrook dominates Tuckahoe in regional semifinal

The upset: Millbrook topples state champ Mount Academy for section title

But Millbrook, too, is beginning to resemble its old self, having fun while steamrolling through the playoffs.

Senior Gianna DiPilato had a career-high 22 kills along with two aces and seven digs to lead the Blazers on Saturday in a 25-23, 25-17, 25-15 win over Section 11's Port Jefferson in a Class C regional final. Millbrook has swept each of its four postseason opponents thus far, marching to the state final four for the first time since 2021.

Millbrook (16-2) made quick work of powerhouse Mount Academy in the Section 9 final, avenging two regular-season losses, then toppled Section 1's Tuckahoe in a subregional. The Blazers have reached at least the state final four seven times since 2012. That run, the coach said, “has been a dream.”

"This weekend was really fun," Stoliker said. "We got off to a little bit of a slow start in the first game, but turned it on and executed well."

Port Jefferson (17-3) hosted the final, so the Blazers traveled to Long Island on Friday and spent a day at the mall and playing glow-in-the-dark miniature golf. Then tended to some volleyball matters, of course.

Natalie Fox had 15 kills, 10 digs and an ace for Millbrook. Marisa Markou added 36 assists, six kills, two aces and seven digs, and Nina Lapine had two aces and two blocks. The Blazers had a .402 hit-success rate, Stoliker said, "which is insane this deep into the playoffs."

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association changed the template of the volleyball state tournament this year, eliminating pool play in favor of a traditional semifinal round.

Millbrook faces Section 2's Galway in its state semifinal on Saturday, 5 p.m. at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls.

"Getting this far is big for the program now and for our future," said Stoliker, whose roster includes several underclassmen. "For the next three or four years, we'll have kids who've been through regionals, competed in a final four. It'll help with leadership, and that experience drives players to always want to get back there."

Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4826, Twitter: @StephenHaynes4

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Volleyball: DiPilato shines as Millbrook dominates regional final