By Joseph Staszewski
Jaclyn LaForgia turned in a near-perfect performance, committing just one hitting error while helping St. Francis Prep win a seventh straight CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens girls’ volleyball title.
Now it’s time for her and her teammates to finally provide the perfect ending to their season and get the Terriers the Catholic state title that it’s yet to bring home.
“That’s eluded us right now,” SFP Coach Kevin Colucci said. “It’s not going to be easy, there are some teams there. If the girls play the way they can, it’s going to be a battle.”
St. Francis Prep (10-0) has crept closer each year, losing in the state final the last two seasons. It is the one accomplishment missing since the program has turned into the standard for the sport in New York City.
There is a difference already this year with the tournament being held in Fresh Meadows for the first time this Saturday. Colucci is hoping to get extra fan support to energize his players. Even before they take the court, defending their home is already providing additional motivation.
“I think it gives more of a pride feeling,” LaForgia said.
The senior outside hitter can certainly be proud of the performance she turned in during a 25-18, 25-18, 25-14 win over Fontbonne Hall in the finals Monday at Christ the King. LaForgia, who has won three diocesan titles, recorded 24 kills with just one error and recorded kills on more than half of the balls passed to her. She also had a knack for providing big points.
“She was out of her mind,” Colucci said. “She was just unconscious, just very smooth. She was our go-to person without a doubt.”
LaForgia has emerged as the Terriers’ star even on a team filled with plenty of talented players. Setter Nicole Tong, who has 39 assists and eight digs against Fontbonne, has made great use of her multitude of hitters from Caroline Gorecki, to Johairy Rivadeneira and Stephanie Sokolich. She still isn’t afraid to just pass to the hot hand and did just that with LaForgia.
“Feeding her, that is energizing the team also,” Tong said.
Their momentum needs to carry over into Saturday. The Terriers must seize the opportunity to add the state title that can make this amazing run complete. Never winning would not diminish what that accomplished, but in life you never want to leave a “but” in anything you do. There is no better year then this one to put it to rest and further add to their legacy.
“That is our goal, especially trying to take states at our home in our territory,” LaForgia said. “That would be a great achievement.”
