Third time no charm for Baldwin

East Meadow avenged a pair of regular-season losses to Baldwin on the volleyball court and eliminated the Lady Bruins from the Nassau Class AA playoffs with a four-set quarterfinal victory on Nov. 4.

“If there’s any team we’ve been close to talent-wise for a long time, East Meadow is it,” Baldwin coach April Mosca said. “We’ve developed a nice rivalry. It’s tough to beat a good team three times. We didn’t play a bad match. Their serving was the difference.”

The fourth-seeded Lady Bruins (7-7) received a bye in the opening round, which has its plusses and minuses. “The girls were pumped about the bye, and it’s a nice reward for the regular season,” Mosca said. “But it’s something that can work against you because you’re out of the playing mode longer.”

Baldwin took the opening set, 26-24, with senior standout middle hitter/blocker Ashley Boursiquot and sophomore outside hitter Alexa-Jill Ackerman leading the way in their first match back from ankle injuries. The Lady Jets rebounded in a big way, however, taking the next three sets 25-15, 25-20, 25-21.

Becky Syers had 25 assists and 10 digs, Nicole Laneri had 14 kills and 11 digs, and Deanna Groth had eight kills and 12 digs to lead East Meadow, which lost in the semis to eventual county champion Massapequa. Ackerman had 17 kills and Boursiquot added 14 for the Lady Bruins, who won six of seven games against the Lady Jets during the regular season.

For Boursiquot, the loss signified the end of an outstanding high school career. She picked up All-County honors for a second straight season and led Baldwin in kills and blocks. “Ashley was our MVP,” Mosca said. “She’s one of the most dominant middles in the county.” Boursiquot is strongly considering St. John’s University and is also being recruited by North Carolina-Central.

Ashley’s younger sister, Bianca, a junior, had a solid year in the middle as well and led the team in kills in several matches. On Oct. 8, the Boursiquots combined for 40 kills against East Meadow in a four-set win.

Baldwin’s offense ran through junior setter Kamari Somers, who thrived in her first year at the varsity level. “She has naturally good hands and did a great job,” Mosca said. “She was consistent right from the start and made everyone around her comfortable. She’s a smart player with good court awareness.”

Senior Monice Small and junior Jessica Pulis split time at outside hitter down the stretch and stepped up with Ackerman, an Honorable Mention All-County performer, sidelined with a sprained ankle.

Defensively, sophomore Colleen Walsh was a key contributor in the back row and picked up All-County honors. She possesses a tough-to-handle serve and was among the team leaders in aces. Also providing strong defense were seniors Leanne Zick (All-Conference) and Danielle Scheers.

Baldwin’s most impressive win came at home against Long Beach on Oct. 12. The Lady Bruins won the first two sets, dropped the next two, then prevailed 25-22 in the fifth. Ackerman and Bianca Boursiquot had 10 kills apiece to lead the way.