GLENS FALLS -- In the most important game of her season, Hendrick Hudson's Sareeta Nethersole could do little more than hope for a team she didn't really know.
After cruising to a 3-0 record in pool play, the Sailors tripped up in their second game against John Glenn, allowing the Knights to split the pool-play contest.
The stage was a set for a possible one-game playoff between John Glenn and Hendrick Hudson.
All the Knights needed to do was sweep the winless Ravena Indians.
Instead of stretching or thinking about their final pool-play game against Eden, the Sailors became cheerleaders.
"We figured the more we cheered for them, the better they would do," said Nethersole, who finished with 23 kills, 16 blocks and 22 digs during pool play.
The team wasn't the only one cheering. Realizing what was at stake, Hendrick Hudson fans donned Ravena's green and gold colors and cheered like crazy.
At 0-4, the Indians were statistically out of a trip to the final on Sunday at 10 a.m., but their game against John Glenn proved to be the most important contest in the Class B bracket of the State Girls Volleyball Tournament on Saturday.
Riding a wave of new-found Sailors support and a serious determination to walk away with a victory at states, Ravena defeated John Glenn in the opening game.
The ripple effect meant Hendrick Hudson would get a chance to defend its state title against Eden and John Glenn would have to settle for third place.
"Ravena really bailed us out in that aspect," said Hendrick Hudson head coach Diane Swertfager. "I told the girls ‘You're probably playing a tie-break match against John Glenn.' "
While the Sailors struggled with what-ifs, Eden powered through pool play with certainty. The Raiders' stacked roster and overwhelming power at the net proved unbeatable Saturday.
In what was little more than a scrimmage against Hendrick Hudson in the final pool-play match of the day, Eden still dominated.
"This team is fortunate that we're balanced," said Raiders head coach Stephen Pierce. "A lot of teams are feast or famine depending on who's in the front row. This year, we're kind of feast and feast; we have weapons all around. It's nice."
Pierce expects Sunday's game to be much more intense. And after last year's five-game gem, he's probably right.
Posted in Sports, Tournament, High-school-and-prep on Saturday, November 21, 2009 11:30 pm Updated: 11:36 pm.
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