SECTION IV VOLLEYBALL: CANDOR SWEEPS NEWFIELD TO REPEAT AS CLASS D CHAMPIONS (24 PHOTOS) (2024-11-10)

Tioga County Sports Report
TIOGA CENTER — It wasn't easy, but Candor swept IAC rival Newfield to repeat as Section IV, Class D champions here Sunday afternoon.

The Coyotes, who have won three of the last four Class D titles, won by scores of 25-20, 25-20, and 25-17.

"It feels great, every (title) is special," said longtime Candor coach Pam Quinlan. "This is a great group of kids ... they've worked hard, and to see it culminate in this is great.

"It doesn't matter if it's your first or second title or whatever, it's special," she added.

Despite the program's success in recent years, there was still plenty of emotion after hoisting the championship plaque.

"These girls mean a lot to me and to each other, they become family," said Quinlan. "We've spent every day together since August.

"When you get to this point in the season, you know your time is winding down.

"We're just blessed, and we talked about being blessed to have the God-given ability we have, and to be able to come out and play with joy and passion," she added.

Newfield led early in the first set, forcing Candor to call a timeout. After the brief break, the rest of the night belonged to the Coyotes.

"During the time out, we discussed that the game was being played at Newfield's tempo, and we needed to play it at our tempo," said Quinlan. "And, we were able to do that."

Also after the timeout, Emmi Makie had a lengthy service run, which she would do a couple more times during the night, to give Candor the lead for good.

"I don't know what it is about that particular rotation, whether it's the back row passing the ball and defending, and getting some great balls to the setter, but we had good success in it tonight," said Quinlan.

After winning the first set, 25-20, Candor built double-digit leads in each of the next two sets, but won them 25-20 and 25-17.

"Newfield is an opponent we've played a lot, and sometimes you  get comfortable against teams you've played a lot.

"And, kudos to (Newfield), they've worked hard, they're scrappy, they play great defense and get to a lot of balls," said Quinlan. "They made us earn our points.

"We struggled to pass a little bit, and we made a few errors trying to make big hits, but you also want your kids to stay aggressive," she noted.

"I think at this point in the season you're trusting that your kids are going to have the mental fortitude to pull out the win," Quinlan added.

Quinlan also agreed that with the program's history of success, the girls could be feeling some pressure.

"I think there was some internal pressure, especially when you're playing a team you have beaten," she said. "I think you come in with an idea of things you can do, and maybe have a little too much adrenaline and have to settle down.

"And, there are the normal nerves that come with playing in a game like this," added Quinlan. "I think we finally settled down midway through the first game, and took that into the second and third games."

Makie led Candor with 20 service points, including three aces, five kills, and two digs, while Phoebe Swartz had seven points, five kills, 22 setter assists, and seven digs, and Nicola Soper had three points, two digs, and 14 kills, using hard hits and touch kills.

"We love the big hits, and the fans love the big hits, but we also need to score points," said Quinlan. "Some times, if the big hit is being defended well, then we need to do something different. I think (Nicola Soper) has learned to do that well."

Kate Stouffer had four points, three kills, and three digs in the win, while Malley Heidl added three assists and two kills, and Jill Teribury chipped in with two points.

Candor will host Section III's Lafayette Saturday in the New York State Class D quarterfinals.

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PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.

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