There’s one match remaining in the 2009 girls volleyball season. Francis Lewis and Cardozo — Queens rivals — will meet in the PSAL Class A city championship match. For Lewis, it’ll be a chance to set a record with three straight titles, while Cardozo is still looking for its first.
The Judges moved up to No. 3 in the NYC rankings and No. 2 in the PSAL rankings after beating Susan Wagner in the semifinals Friday. Midwood likewise moved into the NYC rankings after knocking off Stuyvesant in the quarterfinals Wednesday. The Hornets, who fell to Lewis in the semis, also moved up to No. 4 in the PSAL.
Here’s how everything breaks down:
1. Francis Lewis (13-0) (Last week: 1)
The ball is in the Patriots’ court now. History is at their fingertips. All they have to do Tuesday in the PSAL Class A city title match is beat Cardozo, a team they’ve bested three times already this season. Of course, that’s easier said than done. The Judges won’t roll over. But if Lewis doesn’t win a record three straight championship, it would be a shock to the entire city.
Next: No. 3 Cardozo, PSAL Class A city championship match (Nov. 24, 6 p.m. @ Hunter College)
2. St. Francis Prep (12-0) (2)
The Terriers’ dynasty has no end in sight. St. Francis Prep will surely be the favorite to win a fourth straight CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens title next year. It’ll be junior Julia Hannigan’s team with sophomore Talia Colasante surely emerging as one of the better hitters in the city.
Next: Season complete
3. Cardozo (11-2) (4)
At the beginning of the season, Cardozo wasn’t even in these rankings. Now, after beating then-No. 3 Susan Wagner in the PSAL Class A semifinals Friday, the Judges are up to No. 3. Not bad for a squad that didn’t make it out of the second round last year. That, of course, was an aberration. Coach Danny Scarola has made this program into a city powerhouse and Cardozo could be the top team in the PSAL next year.
Next: No. 1 Francis Lewis, PSAL Class A city championship match (Nov. 24, 6 p.m. @ Hunter College)
4. St. Catharine Acad. (16-1) (5)
An era has ended in The Bronx. The senior class that led St. Catharine to two straight CHSAA Archdiocesan titles will graduate in the spring and coach Melissa Rosso doesn’t plan on returning to the Crusaders next year after she graduates from Manhattan College, either. Whoever takes over – perhaps current senior Alessandra Rosso? – will have large shoes to fill.
Next: Season complete
5. Susan Wagner (14-1) (3)
The Falcons didn’t reach their goal of making the PSAL Class A city title match, but continued to add to the foundation of what this program could be going forward. Coach Marco Altieri has built Wagner into a legitimate city title contender just about every season. And 6-foot-3 junior outside hitter Emily Burke, who is receiving Division I interest, will be back to terrorize the PSAL.
Next: Season complete
6. Fontbonne Hall (13-1) (6)
The Bonnies will file this season, their best ever, away in 2010 and try to rebuild around Amanda Glodowski, Lauren Ganun and Katie Lang. Coaches Linda Strong and Kristina Healey will surely miss seniors Justina Johnson, Sarah McCarthy and Kara Egan, who led Fontbonne to its first CHSAA Brooklyn title in over a decade.
Next: Season complete
7. Bishop Kearney (11-5) (7)
It was a tough season for Kearney, which underachieved and had its streak of 183 straight CHSAA Brooklyn victories snapped by rival Fontbonne Hall. The Tigers will have to rely heavily on junior outside hitter Cody Dripchak next season.
Next: Season complete
8. Horace Mann (10-2) (8)
The Ivy League will be wide open next season, but Horace Mann has a good chance to be in the mix once again despite losing some key seniors. The Lions will certainly be stout defensively with libero Margot Penn returning.
Next: Season complete
9. Archbishop Molloy (7-6) (10)
The future is bright for the Stanners. Virtually the entire team returns outside of regulars Christina Perez and Justina Dinko, who graduate. Outside hitters Katie Mulvihill and Ariella Levine, setter Jenna Hoffman, defensive specialist Anna Pastina and middle Mareena Thottam will all be back.
Next: Season complete
10. Midwood (12-1) (NR)
It was a fine season for the Hornets. Midwood made its first PSAL semifinals since 2002 and it seems like the times when the Brooklyn squad was one of the best in the city is back. Next year, junior middle hitter Shannon Appel will be one of the top players in NYC.
Next: Season complete
New: Midwood (12-1)
Dropped out: Stuyvesant (13-1)
On the bubble: Stuyvesant (13-1), Mary Louis (9-4), John F. Kennedy (14-1), Brooklyn Tech (12-1) and Preston (12-3)
CHSAA RANKINGS
1. St. Francis Prep (12-0) (1)
2. St. Catharine Acad. (16-1) (2)
3. Fontbonne Hall (13-1) (3)
4. Bishop Kearney (11-5) (4)
5. Archbishop Molloy (7-6) (5)
6. Mary Louis (9-4) (6)
7. Preston (12-3) (7)
8. St. John’s Prep (5-5) (8)
9. Cardinal Spellman (10-5) (9)
10. St. Joseph Hill (11-2) (10)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Bishop Ford (7-7), St. Vincent Ferrer (11-1), Bishop Loughlin (6-6) and Cathedral (7-4)
PSAL RANKINGS
1. Francis Lewis (13-0) (1)
2. Cardozo (11-2) (3)
3. Susan Wagner (14-1) (2)
4. Midwood (12-1) (5)
5. Stuyvesant (13-1) (4)
6. John F. Kennedy (14-1) (6)
7. Brooklyn Tech (12-1) (7)
8. McKee/S.I. Tech (12-3) (8)
9. Bronx Science (9-5) (9)
10. Long Island City (11-1) (10)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Columbus (11-3), Townsend Harris (7-5), Tottenville (9-5), Hunter College HS (13-1), Bryant (12-2), Edison (10-4), John Adams (15-0) and FDR (13-3)