Sports

Dobbs' Perfect Season Continues with Section Semifinal Sweep

Eagles volleyball took out the Pawling Tigers in a three-set sweep at home Wednesday.

An all-around solid performance made it clear to an elated home crowd Wednesday why the Dobbs Ferry Eagles have won 20 straight matches this season.

Consistent serving and a tough offense kept the Pawling Tigers, the visiting #4 Class C seed, from taking a single set from Dobbs Ferry in the section semifinals.

Dobbs Ferry's perfect regular season record earned it the #1 seed in the section and a bye in the first round of playoffs.

"I was very pleased with the way the front row played," Eagles Head Coach Patty Duane said after the match. "We didn't have a lot of blocks, but just to react enough to their overpasses to put them down; and that's the way the game ended—so that was kind of telling." 

Heading into today's match, Duane said, "We had no clue what [Pawling] would be like," so the Eagles just focused on a strong defense and reacted quickly.

Junior Middle Blocker Bridget Sheridan contributed 11 kills for Dobbs Ferry, while Emily Dea-Jue, a sophomore outside hitter, added nine kills. Junior Outside Hitter Caitlin Perry's six aces also added to the 25-23, 25-15, 25-19 victory.

The two teams traded points in the close first set, but the Eagles started the second with a 6-0 run and the third with a 3-0 run, not giving the Tigers an opening to catch up.

"We served very well and that took them out of their rhythm, took them out of system," Duane commented. "That's sort of been our trademark all season and we were really able to do it today." 

The Eagles will now move on to face #2 Blind Brook in Friday's 7p.m. section final at Hendrick Hudson High School; a matchup Duane said she's been hoping for.

"They've been great. As a program, Blind Brook and Dobbs Ferry have been similar in that we have lean years and we have strong years. And if we weren't in the finals, I'd be rooting for [them]," she shared. "I think it would be a great match to play Blind Brook—to play the best."

Duane will get her wish in a couple of days, but for now, the Eagles can celebrate a job well done.

"I'm proud of the girls for really playing very well and getting it done in three," said Duane.

Share your photos from the season on Patch here!


Editor's Note: The author of this article coaches JV volleyball at Briarcliff High School.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here