By Joseph Staszewski
Queens again proved itself to be one of the top volleyball boroughs in the city. St. Francis Prep won a sixth straight CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Division I title and reached the Catholic state AA final for the second straight year. Cardozo didn’t earn a PSAL three-peat, but did make it to the Class A semifinals with a young team. St. John’s Prep took home its second consecutive Brooklyn/Queens Division II crown.
All-Queens Girls’ Volleyball Player of the Year: Kelly Flynn, St. Francis Prep
The senior outside hitter was one of the most dominant players in the city. She knew nothing but winning at St. Francis Prep, helping the school to a sixth-straight diocesan title and a return trip to the Catholic Class AA title game. Her leadership and skill were put on display in the post season, including when she took over a semifinal win against Mary Louis.
All-Queens Girls’ Volleyball Coach of the Year: Danny Scarola, Benjamin Cardozo
Not much was expected of Cardozo this year, especially after the Judges lost the bulk of the talent from their back-to-back championship squads. Scarola would do a fine job maximizing the potential of a young, inexperienced and talented group. Cardozo went on to win Queens A East and reach the PSAL Class A semifinals, where it lost to Bronx Science.
All-Queens First Team
OH Ragina Anthony, Francis Lewis
The Patriots might not have had the year people expected, but Anthony was again superb before going down with a foot injury. The athletic junior had 48 kills and 58 digs in league play.
OH Madeline Casello, Archbishop Molloy
The senior was the Stanners’ most consistent and powerful hitter. If she got going, it was usually bad news for opponents. She came up big in tight matches against Fontbonne.
OH Alexis Hamilton, Benjamin Cardozo
The freshman burst onto the scene this season and will be a problem for years to come. She is a big reason the Judges reached the PSAL Class A semifinals. She pumped out 95 kills in PSAL play.
L Jenna Hoffman, Archbishop Molloy
The diminutive senior is the clear heart and soul of the Stanners. There may not be a better libero in the city. Hoffman’s hustle to keep balls alive and passing skills allow her control games in a special way.
MH Caroline Gorecki, St. Francis Prep
The junior was the perfect complement to Flynn, forming a lethal combination. Gorecki was an imposing force around the net because of the power with which she struck and her ability to block.
OH Jaclyn LaForgia, St. Francis Prep
LaForgia had the breakout season the Terriers had hoped for. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do on the court and her energy was contagious. The junior was noticeably missed in the diocesan semifinals.
OH Kerry Mackey, Christ the King
The improving Royals have a star in Mackey. The powerful junior helped CK win two tournaments. She helped them beat Bronx Science in the final of the Fall Classic Volleyball Invitational.
L Tyler Mazzuca, Mary Louis Academy
The 5-foot-2 senior epitomized the guts and gritty nature of her Mary Louis team. Her digging made TMLA a pest to play, something St. Francis Prep learned when given a scare in the semifinals.
S Kendra McCalla, St. Francis Prep
When you have as many weapons as the Terriers do, someone has to make it all work. The senior again did it to perfection, getting the most out of the players around her in another banner year for SFP.
S Zhan Cheng Yin, Benjamin Cardozo
The junior stepped into her new role and flourished, making things easier for the young players around her. Yin was one of the PSAL’s leaders in assists, with 198, and was a superb server with 26 aces.
All-Queens Honorable Mention
OH Adriana Braciak, Benjamin Cardozo
S Melissa Chu, Francis Lewis
MH Stella Duval, St. John’s Prep
MH Kristen Freile, Mary Louis
S Raluca Mosora, Bryant
OH Jumara Muza, Forest Hills
S Amanda Proce, Archbishop Molloy
OH Emily Rabot, Archbishop Molloy
S Joanna Rios, Christ the King
L Caroline Vallone, St. Francis Prep
