Francis Lewis left no doubt about its standing as New York City’s best team Saturday.
Led by tournament most valuable player Alicja Pawelec, Lewis defeated St. Francis Prep, 25-21, 25-12, in a battle of the Big Apple’s two best girls volleyball teams to win the Lady Patriot Invitational in Fresh Meadows. The tournament featured four of the top six teams in NYC, according to The Post’s latest rankings.
“The team played very well and very inspired all day,” Patriots coach Arnie Rosenbaum.
Pawelec, a senior receiving interest from Division I schools Iona, Saint Peter’s and St. Francis, had 41 kills, 24 digs, 12 aces and six blocks during the productive afternoon.
Lewis senior Gyna Anthony celebrated her birthday with an appearance on the all-tournament team. She had 10 kills, 32 digs, nine aces and 15 service points against the Terriers in the championship match. Patriots setter Dominika Mrozowska had 54 assists, 21 digs and four aces on the day to also earn all-tourney honors.
Lewis also got fine performances from Chereese Sheen (19 kills, 13 digs, six aces) and Jillian Escobar (24 digs). The Patriots came in ranked No. 1 in NYC by The Post and St. Francis Prep is currently second.
Libero Jillian Linares and middle hitter Diane Lollo represented the Terriers on the all-tournament team. Cardozo sophomore outside hitter Ashley Grubler and Roslyn’s Sara Ribakova were also recognized.
Francis Lewis defeated Cardozo in the semifinals, 25-18, 25-12, and St. Francis beat Roslyn, 25-17, 25-7, in the other semi. The Terriers finished 7-3, dropping two sets to Lewis and one to Cardozo in pool play.
Cardozo, ranked No. 6 in the city by The Post, and Roslyn finished tied for third with 3-5 set records. The Judges split with No. 5 St. Catharine and Brooklyn Tech in pool play. Roslyn swept John F. Kennedy and split with Archbishop Molloy in pool play.
Molloy narrowly missed the playoffs, finishing fifth with a 3-3 record. St. Catharine (2-4) finished sixth, Brooklyn Tech (2-4) seventh and Kennedy (0-6) eighth.
Midwood wins tournament: Midwood defeated Flushing in the championship match to win the first annual Secondary School for Law, Journalism and Research tournament Saturday. The Hornets defeated New Utrecht in the semifinals. Flushing beat Richmond Hill to reach the final.
Mann wins pair: Horace Mann won its second Ivy League regular-season title in 30 years last week and still has to wait another 10 days or so before the NYSAIS tournament. But the Lions stayed active this week, defeating Nightingale-Bamford and Holy Child of Westchester in two-set sweeps.
