Displaying items by tag: Maria Izzo

[Photos by www.PhotoAndGraphic.com]

SARATOGA SPRINGS – On Wednesday, Nov. 8 Saratoga Central Catholic High School held their third annual Mega Bowl, a volleyball game with faculty versus senior athletes of all sports. From the start, the whole crowd was excited and the senior athletes created a “pumped up” atmosphere. The faculty players were good sports, teasing the seniors with floor routines and special handshakes every time they’d score a point. Maria Izzo, varsity volleyball coach, was the very amused referee for Mega Bowl.

This event is held to raise money for the school, as the MC for the evening joked, “we really need your money, so donate. I am accepting personal checks and cash donations of up to $100 or even pocket change. But really, this goes to a great cause, we have a great school. Thank you.”

With that, the first set kicked off. Faculty came in hitting hard and it was hard to miss the amused expressions on the volleyball seniors faces. The seniors team consisted of boys and girls from all the different sports offered at Saratoga Central Catholic, including senior volleyball player Ani Crocker. The first set was won by the faculty, 25-20.

The second set saw some amusing anecdotes as the ball came down and one senior girl hit it with her shin exclaiming, “I’m a soccer player!” The crowd went wild with laughter. The faculty dominated this set again, winning 25-16.

The third set saw a change up in the seniors roster, bringing in MVP volleyball player Grace Fornabia. It was then clear to the faculty that they would have to step up their game as Fornabia effortlessly made the points rise. The third set was won by the seniors, 25-10.

During halftime, there was a $1 volleyball serve game. Crowd members could pay $1 to serve the ball and see if they could make it into any of the three trash cans set up. Grace O’Reilly, junior varsity volleyball player, came the closest to sinking the ball.

Since the faculty did not win the third set, a fourth set was required. The seniors won the fourth set, 25-23, creating a tie between teams and requiring a fifth and final set. The faculty fought hard in the fifth set to keep their winning title for the third year in a row but ultimately, the seniors won for the first time, 25-21.

The mix of different specialty athletes versus faculty members made for an amusing but athletically skilled game. The point of the game was to raise money and have a good time. That certainly seemed to be accomplished.

[All photos by www.PhotoAndGraphic.com]

SARATOGA SPRINGS – On Friday, Oct. 20 the Saratoga Central Catholic Saints varsity volleyball team defeated Cambridge 3-0, making the Saints the undefeated Wasaren League Champions, with a 16-0 season.

Coach Maria Izzo started the evening with honoring all of the seniors on the team, including Cambridge’s seniors, with flowers and kind words. 

“This group of eight people has been a fun group. They get along so well, laughs are nonstop, and there’s nothing better than a team that connects. If they connect off the court, they’ll connect on the court,” Izzo said of the team.

Each senior girl has a buddy on the team, who is either a sophomore or junior that they mentor for the season.

The seniors are Grace Fornabia, Ani Crocker, Olivia Lawrence, and Mandy Bartoszek. Fornabia and Crocker are co-captains of the team.

Fornabia now holds the season and school record for number of kills. Fornabia makes it look effortless in her abilities, seeming to take her opponents by surprise every time.

“Grace is a one of a kind and has been a catalyst for the past couple of years. These girls have been a pleasure to coach and even more to watch them play very well together. I’m very proud of them and I will miss them,” Izzo said.