Pearl River Volleyball Faces Inexperience, Strong Competition

The Pearl River High School volleyball program has a proud history since its inception in 1997, totaling nine league titles (the most recent coming in 2009) and a state final four appearance in 2000. 

Julie Crowe, in her second year as varsity coach following ten seasons heading up the junior varsity, knows her squad has talent, but she is tempering expectations for the 2011 season.

“Overall we are a young team looking to develop in a learning year," Crowe said. "We have small goals and will take things a game at a time.  Inexperience on the court is where we need to improve.  But this is a close knit team that works well together and encourages each other. It is a great group of girls.”

Because of her long association with Lady Pirates volleyball and a playing career at Tappan Zee, Crowe understands what it will take to get back into championship contention and how the competition has gotten tougher. 

“League 4B is much improved because many players have stepped up with outside competition in summer leagues and camps in a sport where there are no Little League or AAU teams,” Crowe said.

This year’s Pearl River team has six returning players, seven newcomers and several players out due to injuries. One of the
leading returnees is Victoria Grix, a junior captain.

“(Grix has) very good leadership skills in her third year of varsity competition,” Crowe said.

Also looked upon to make a major contribution in her second varsity season is junior Annette Krysiewicz. 

“An outstanding middle hitter," Crowe said. "One of our best. She has improved each year and continues to improve.”

Crowe is also counting on two sophomores, Caroline Kardashian and Mandy McCarthy to make an impact on this year’s team. 

“They are really improving in their setting skills,”  Crowe said.

In volleyball, League 4B consists of Albertus Magnus, Nanuet, Nyack, and Tappan Zee.  Pearl River has a home and home series with each school.  

“There is always a rivalry with TZ and Nanuet," Crowe said. "Nanuet took the league title last year and we want it back.“ 

Matches are also played against the League 4A larger schools including Clarkstown North, Clarkstown South, East Ramapo, North Rockland and Suffern.

A major date on the schedule is October 21 at 5:30 PM when Pearl River hosts Tappan Zee and “Volley for the Cure” to aid in the fight against breast cancer.  Last year, they raised $7,000 through various fund-raising efforts including raffles and the sale of t-shirts.

Crowe points to second year JV coach Brianna Kenna as another source of strength in Lady Pirate volleyball.  The Pearl  River graduate was a member of the initial varsity team in 1997 and played in the state final four in 2000.

She commented on the continuing emergence of her sport. 

“The girls’ overall knowledge of the game is improved," Crowe said. "They just have a better understanding of it.  A lot of the girls are branching out to clubs and camps.  They are seeing it is a very competitive sport.

“We are trying to bring knowledge to girls at a younger level.  We are working on developing a clinic for girls in the middle school and even the fourth grade.  In general, our program has made a tremendous leap forward and I am proud to be a part of it.”

 Pearl River Varsity Volleyball 2011 Remaining Schedule

Game Day, Date

Game Time

League, Non-League

Visitor

Home

Wed, Sept. 14

4 p.m.

Non-League

Pearl River

Clarkstown North

Fri, Sept. 16

4 p.m.

Non-League

Pearl River

E. Ramapo

Thu, Sept. 22

4 p.m.

League

Pearl River

Albertus Magnus

Mon, Sept. 26

4 p.m.

League

Pearl River

Tappan Zee

Tue, Oct. 4

4:15 p.m.

League

Nyack

Pearl River

Thu, Oct. 6

4 p.m.

League

Pearl River

Nanuet

Wed, Oct. 12

4 p.m.

League

Albertus Magnus

Pearl River

Mon, Oct. 17

4:30 p.m.

Non-League

Pearl River

Byram Hills

Thu, Oct. 20

4 p.m.

League

Pearl River

Nyack

Fri, Oct. 21

5:30 p.m.

League

Tappan Zee

Pearl River

Mon, Oct. 24

4 p.m.

League

Nanuet

Pearl River

 Pearl River 2011 Varsity Volleyball Roster

Name

Jersey No.

Class

Position

Marie Giebelhouse

16

Sr.

Defense

Victoria Massari

12

Sr.

Defense

Victoria Grix

22

Jr.

Outside Hitter

Annette Krysiewicz

9

Jr.

Middle Hitter

Jessica Mayernick

10

Jr.

Defense

Marissa Verdicchio

8

Jr.

Defense

Alyssa Villani

18

Jr.

Outside Hitter

Kayla Clohessy

7

So.

Outside Hitter

Antonia Glielmi

3

So.

Outside Hitter

Caroline Kardashian

1

So.

Setter

Amanda McCarthy

4

So.

Setter

Danielle Muchoe

21

So.

Outside Hitter

Maria Stokes

20

So.

Middle Hitter