FLAWLESS CAMPAIGN CONTINUES St. Francis Prep caps perfect regular season with thrilling win over Molloy

St. Francis Prep Volleyball Coach Kevin Colucci saw his team's future success as just a matter of time, a series of games they needed to play together.
Last year was a learning experience, he felt, a way for his team to get to know one another, to gain comfort, confidence, and chemistry. Sure, the Brooklyn/Queens Diocesan semifinal loss to Bishop Kearney was a disappointment. But the 2006 season, with his entire team returning, was where the results would come.
Indeed, the wins have come. The losses haven't, though. After watching Molloy sweep through the league undefeated to a city championship, the Terriers are enjoying that same kind of magic carpet ride-type season. By winning their finale, a thrilling five-setter over the Stanners Monday evening, 18-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-19, 15-8, St. Francis Prep completed their own flawless league season at 10-0. Ariel Pierre led the Terriers with 18 kills and seven service aces, junior Rebecca Spitz added 10 kills and Emily Pennachio chipped in with 38 assists.
&#8220We're a little more seasoned,” he said. &#8220The same team is intact. All the girls came back with a year more experience and it shows. … My girls wanted it. They've been working hard all season. It was a great match on both sides.”
Angie Waterman's 34 kills and Nicki Bagatta's 51 assists led the Stanners.
The victory over Molloy, one that saw the Terriers drop just their third and fourth sets in league play all year was a significant challenge, but a test they passed in impressive fashion. After dropping an error-filled third set, they bounced back emphatically in the fourth, behind Pierre's seven kills and a blistering service ace to cap the set. Pierre was the difference once again.
The 5-foot-6 senior isn't the prototypical outside hitter. Actually, she's playing out of position. A natural setter, the position she anchors for her club team, Creole Big Apple, Pierre is arguably the league's top talent. &#8220She's an amazing passer,” Spitz raved. &#8220She's just an all around great player.”
&#8220She just solidifies the whole team,” Colucci added. &#8220Her movements are a step above everyone's in the league.”
Although the spots on the court couldn't be any more different, Pierre handled the attack position with ease, as if she's been spiking opponents for years. &#8220It's the same role I feel leadership-wise,” she said, &#8220but it's definitely a different part of the game, passing than hitting. It's a lot harder physically and setting a lot harder mentally. I do enjoy it and Emily is a great setter. She does a really good job of moving the ball around.”
In the fifth set, it was Spitz doing the damage with her punishing spikes. A deep kill on the end line pushed the Terriers lead to 13-8. &#8220She had a phenomenal game blocking-wise and kills,” Colucci said of Spitz.
Pierre didn't enter this fall with high expectations. She knew the Terriers had talent, but wasn't sure if the supporting cast was strong enough. &#8220I didn't know what it was going to be like,” she said. &#8220I just hoped we played well and did our best. I wasn't sure if the girls were still struggling from last year. But they came back ready to play.”
Colucci points to the rapid development of the juniors, so inexperienced a year ago, as a reason for the team's success. Paramount in that group is Spitz. &#8220All of my [juniors] are more developed,” the coach said.
Furthermore, the Terriers have morphed into one close-knit unit. &#8220We just connect so well as a team,” Spitz said. &#8220After playing with each other for so long, I think just over time - last year was the first year we played together - we've grown closer. Both on and off the court, we know how to pick each other up. We know everyone has our backs no matter what.”