Wagner’s Marco Altieri is The Post’s All-Staten Island girls volleyball Coach of the Year. (Denis Gostev)
If Staten Island wasn’t on the volleyball map before, it’s certainly there to stay now.
The borough had an absolute renaissance in the sport in 2010. In the PSAL, Susan Wagner became the first team from the Island to make the PSAL city championship match in more than three decades. The Falcons also beat three-time defending champion Francis Lewis in the semifinals. Tottenville and New Dorp were also solid programs citywide.
St. Joseph Hill and St. Joseph by the Sea made their own history in the CHSAA. Both became the first Staten Island teams to advance to the CHSAA Archdiocesan semifinals since the format changed in 2007. Hill did one better, earning a berth in the CHSAA Class A state semifinals.
All-Staten Island girls volleyball Player of the Year: Emily Burke, Susan Wagner
She started the season by officially committing to a full athletic scholarship to Hofstra University and ended it by leading Wagner to an improbable run to the PSAL Class A city championship match. The 6-foot-3 outside hitter was the Falcons’ go-to player and everyone knew it – but stopping her was a different story.
Burke had 20 kills as Wagner dethroned three-time defending champion and top-seed Francis Lewis in the semis and had 24 kills in a dominant performance against Bronx Science in the quarterfinals. She proved she was well-deserving of the mantle of being the only player in the PSAL with a full volleyball scholarship to college.
All-Staten Island girls volleyball Coach of the Year: Marco Altieri, Susan Wagner
After graduating the most talent the program ever had coming into this season, Altieri’s goals for 2010 were modest – a winning record, with luck a division title. But Wagner went a long way, further than a Staten Island team had in more than three decades.
Riding one of the city’s best players in Emily Burke and a roster of unheralded and inexperienced players, Altieri guided the Falcons to an upset of three-time defending champion Francis Lewis and a trip to the PSAL Class A city championship game. No, it wasn’t his most talented team, but it was his best – and a superb coaching job.
First team
MH Kelsey Carey, St. Joseph Hill
Before this season, the sophomore was known as a basketball prodigy. She added volleyball to the list in a big way. The 6-foot middle led Hill to its best season ever, including a trip to the semifinals in the CHSAA Archdiocesan playoffs and the CHSAA Class A state tournament.
S Song Hee Han, Tottenville
In a borough of good setters, the junior was arguably the best. Hee Han possesses great hands and a keen ability to deliver the ball precisely where her hitters want it. She was named to the all-tournament team at Cardozo and helped Tottenville finish second in PSAL Staten Island A and advance to the PSAL Class A second round.
S Esther Jang, Susan Wagner
It was hard to tell Jang actually played libero last year and not setter. The senior made the transition look seamless – without her Hofstra-bound star Emily Burke would not have been able to dominate like she did. Jang’s serving was also a big key to Wagner’s first-ever trip to the PSAL finals.
OH Kaitlin O’Brien, New Dorp
The athletic junior led the entire PSAL in kills (145) and was third in Staten Island A9 in digs (91).The athletic, 5-foot-9 force led New Dorp to its best season in awhile, finishing 8-4 in league play and advancing to the PSAL Class A second round. O’Brien is one to watch for next year.
MH Pola Poskrobko, Susan Wagner
Flashes of brilliance were seen throughout the regular season – after all, she did lead PSAL Staten Island A in aces (47). But the senior really shined in the playoffs. Poskrobko had seven kills, two blocks and two aces in the PSAL Class A semifinals against Francis Lewis and six kills and two blocks against Cardozo in the finals.
MH Sarah Shin, Tottenville
After notching just 10 kills last season, the junior ended up finishing third in PSAL Staten Island A9 in the category in 2010 (67). She was Tottenville’s best hitter and also led the Pirates in digs (69). Shin should be filling up the stat sheet again next year.
Second team
OH Nicole Gundacker, St. Joseph Hill
One of the leaders of the team, the senior’s commitment to volleyball was contagious and helped Hill to its best season ever. Gundacker had four kills and three aces against Preston in the CHSAA Archdiocesan quarterfinals and excelled in pool play at the CHSAA Class A state tournament to help the Hilltoppers make their first semifinals.
OH Sara Hwang, Tottenville
Anything coach Rhiannon Ebnit-Smith asked of her Hwang did. The junior was one of Tottenville’s best hitters, defenders and passers – the junior will be a leader for the Pirates next year.
OH Jackie Kelly, St. Joseph by the Sea
Simply put, Kelly is a winner. The senior, who will play softball next year at Hartford, was the heart and soul of a St. Joseph by the Sea team that made its first-ever CHSAA Archdiocesan semifinals.
S Carolyn Kweon, New Dorp
The senior lead PSAL Staten Island A9 in assists with an even 200 and was the quarterback during New Dorp’s best season in a long time. Though the Central Cougars have a nice core coming back, Kweon will be sorely missed.
S Taylor O’Gara, Curtis
A great athlete, the junior was one of the most underrated setters in the city on a team that didn’t make the playoffs. O’Gara, also a star in lacrosse, could be the best at her position on Staten Island next year.
L Jia Sha, Susan Wagner
Playing libero for the first time, the junior really made defense a strength for Wagner in its run to the PSAL Class A final. Long and mobile, Sha will be a key ingredient as the Falcons look to make another run.
Honorable mention
MH Julia Bogdan, Susan Wagner
OH Kristine Ciurcina, Susan Wagner
RS Amanda DiPaolo, St. Joseph Hill
DS Megan Kane, Tottenville
DS Patricia Kane, Tottenville
OH Sin Hae Lee, Tottenville
S Shelby Nemec, McKee/Staten Island Tech
S Tiffany Intravaia, St. Joseph Hill
OH Victoria Procopio, St. Joseph Hill
S Amanda Samaan, St. Joseph by the Sea
