The book has closed on another girls volleyball season.
Last week, Cardozo was crowned PSAL Class A city champion for the first time in 29 years when the Judges beat upstart Susan Wagner in an intense final. Scholars Academy took home the ‘B’ title in just its second varsity season – an amazing accomplishment.
The CHSAA and private school teams have been idle now for a few weeks and now the PSAL is done, too. All that’s left is The Post’s All-City and all-borough honors, which kick off next week.
NYC RANKINGS
1. St. Francis Prep (12-1) (Last week: 1)
The Terriers were so close to becoming the first CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens team to make the CHSAA Class AA state final in 10 years, but they fell a set short against Sacred Heart (Buffalo). The heartbreaking loss should only serve for motivation for St. Francis Prep’s young core.
Next: Season complete
2. Cardozo (12-2) (2)
The Judges were perennial bridesmaids, but never the bride. It seemed like every season Cardozo would fall to rival Francis Lewis in the playoffs, but not this year. Susan Wagner eliminated the Patriots in the semifinals and the Judges beat the Falcons for their first PSAL title since 1981. Junior outside hitter Ashley Grubler had 19 kills and senior right side Helen Kim had the biggest 4-0 service run of the season to come back on Wagner in the third set.
Next: Season complete
3. Susan Wagner (15-1) (3)
At the beginning of the season, coach Marco Altieri was talking about a year in which his team would have potentially two of three losses in league play. Instead, Wagner went undefeated on Staten Island, made a third straight semifinals and earned a berth in its first finals by beating three-time defending champion Francis Lewis. It was an incredible journey for the Falcons, though it had to end with a loss to Cardozo in the PSAL Class A championship match last Tuesday.
Next: Season complete
4. Francis Lewis (12-1) (4)
Every single player on the court for Francis Lewis late in the season with the exception of senior outside hitter Paulina Jobczyk will be back next year, making the Patriots one of the favorites in the PSAL yet again. It was a heartbreaking end to the Lewis dynasty for the young players in the semifinals against Wagner, but there’s no reason to believe coach Arnie Rosenbaum’s team won’t be right back there next year.
Next: Season complete
5. Archbishop Molloy (8-5) (5)
Coach Steve Leoutsakos will be looking for leadership on what is sure to be a talented team next year after losing eight seniors. But with three very good sophomores coming back and a JV that won the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens title, Molloy has plenty to build on.
Next: Season complete
6. Fontbonne Hall (9-3) (6)
Coach Linda Strong has turned Fontbonne into one of the best teams in the city after the Bonnies were bullied for more than a decade by Bishop Kearney. The Breezy Point pipeline to the Bay Ridge school will surely continue and the players will get their offseason experience with Strong’s Aviator club program.
Next: Season complete
7. Midwood (12-1) (7)
The Hornets lose eight seniors off a team that went to two straight semifinals, but that doesn’t mean Midwood will be dead and buried. Coach Thomasina Lenzi mixes in young players throughout the season with the future in mind. Plus, setter Elizabet Genis is only a freshman.
Next: Season complete
8. Stuyvesant (14-1) (8)
It’s definitely reasonable to think Stuyvesant, with all but two players returning, will be near the top of these rankings next year. The Vixens, with Melissa Chin, Natalie Kozlova and Ana Slade returning, are going to be a problem.
Next: Season complete
9. Horace Mann (11-2) (9)
The Lions are going to miss star libero Margot Penn and the rest of their seniors, but Mann has been the Ivy League’s signature team the last few seasons and there’s no sign of that slowing down.
Next: Season complete
10. Brooklyn Tech (13-1) (10)
Remember the name Colette Littell. She’ll be one of the best players in the city next year at middle hitter for the Engineers. Amy Ye also returns, but coach Rosanne D’Augusta will be looking for a new setter and some back row players to make Brooklyn Tech a PSAL contender yet again.
Next: Season complete
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Bronx Science (13-1), John F. Kennedy (12-3), St. Catharine (18-1), Mary Louis (5-8), Cardinal Spellman (16-3) and St. Joseph Hill (13-3)
CHSAA RANKINGS
1. St. Francis Prep (12-1) (1)
2. Archbishop Molloy (8-5) (2)
3. Fontbonne Hall (9-3) (3)
4. St. Catharine (18-1) (4)
5. Mary Louis (5-8) (5)
6. Cardinal Spellman (16-3) (6)
7. St. Joseph Hill (13-3) (7)
8. Bishop Kearney (2-9) (8)
9. St. Joseph by the Sea (10-5) (9)
10. Christ the King (11-1) (10)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: St. John’s Prep (10-2)
PSAL RANKINGS
1. Cardozo (12-2) (1)
2. Susan Wagner (15-1) (2)
3. Francis Lewis (12-1 (3)
4. Midwood (12-1) (4)
5. Stuyvesant (14-1) (5)
6. Brooklyn Tech (11-1) (6)
7. Bronx Science (13-1) (7)
8. John F. Kennedy (12-3) (8)
9. Tottenville (10-4) (9)
10. Hunter College HS (13-1) (10)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Seward Park (10-4), Newcomers (8-4), Grover Cleveland (7-5), Townsend Harris (7-5), New Dorp (9-5) and Long Island City (7-5)