Lakeland and Hendrick Hudson play during a multi-team football scrimmage at Brewster High School Aug. 27, 2016. Several area teams took part in the scrimmage in advance of next weekend’s season opening games.

Hendrick Hudson quarterback Manny Carbone evades a Nanuet defender is brought down by a Hendrick Hudson defender during a multi-team football scrimmage at Brewster High School Aug. 27, 2016. Several area teams took part in the scrimmage in advance of next weekend’s season opening games.

Nanuet’s Mike Zaro catches a touchdown pass over a New Fairfield. Conn. defender during a multi-team football scrimmage at Brewster High School Aug. 27, 2016. Several area teams took part in the scrimmage in advance of next weekend’s season opening games.

Lakeland’s Sean Maker is brought down by a Putnam Valley defender during a multi-team football scrimmage at Brewster High School Aug. 27, 2016. Several area teams took part in the scrimmage in advance of next weekend’s season opening games.

BREWSTER – There was a little bit of sideline buzz after Hen Hud quarterback Nicholas Cunningham made a string of connections in live action.

It was a nice change.

After months of conditioning and two weeks of preseason camp, it really began to feel like football season on Saturday with eight local teams going full speed in full pads during controlled scrimmages at Brewster High School.

The season officially kicks off this week.

“We’ve been waiting for this after 11 days of doubles,” Cunningham said. “We’ve been waiting to hit somebody in a different uniform, not me of course, but all of the other guys.”

The great expectations remained intact for all involved, but two hours on the steamy turf provided some needed perspective.

“I thought we looked great,” Cunningham added. “Our offensive line was really doing a good job and Jack Attinelly was making plays. The one-handed grab he made in the end zone was outstanding.”

Actually, it was pretty impressive.

Hen Hud and Nanuet played each other in a multi-teamscrimmage at Brewster High School Saturday. Area teams took part in the scrimmage in advance of next weekend’s season-opening games.

Brewster, Carmel, Lakeland, Nanuet, Putnam Valley, Yorktown and New Fairfield, Connecticut, also took part, emphasizing the basics and giving extra reps to the players who are still competing for starting jobs.

The new wrinkles are under wraps for at least another week.

“I thought our defense was pretty vanilla,” Yorktown coach Mike Rescigno said. “We did well against the run, but we got picked on in the air. I saw what I needed to see. I saw what I expected to see. There’s a lot I’m happy with, but we have some work to do.”

Getting ready for opening night against John Jay is now the priority.

“It’s the best time of the year,” Yorktown quarterback Jose Boyer said. “We’ve been working the entire offseason for this game. They’re going to come out flying so we have to match that intensity.”

Nanuet’s Mike Zaro catches a touchdown pass over a New Fairfield. Conn., defender during a multi-teamscrimmage at Brewster High School Saturday.

Carmel appeared to have multiple threats in the backfield and was getting better with each series.

“I saw a bunch of guys today who love to play together,” Rams coach Todd Cayea said. “That has me really excited.”

Opening in stride has to be a priority. The first three weeks of the season include meetings with Arlington, John Jay-East Fishkill and Mahopac.

“We’re coming together,” Carmel defensive end and center Joey Kenna said. “It’s about the process. We have to focus game to game. We do have a tough schedule, but I think we have good skill players, a good offensive line. We just have to play the way that we play.”

Brewster is transitioning Jack Guida from running back to quarterback.

“It’s a big adjustment but my teammates have really helped make everything go smoothly,” he said. “Last year, I only had to worry about blocking on passing plays. Now I have to know what everyone is supposed to do and it’s helping me when I run the ball.”

The lessons are likely to continue beyond Week 1.

Hen Hud quarterback Manny Carbone evades a Nanuet defender during a multi-team scrimmage at Brewster High School Saturday.

“He’s still got work to do, but Jack’s ahead of where I thought he would be at this point,” Bears coach Ed Mulvihill said. “I thought our defense was very aggressive today and that’s a big plus for us. The offense is not there yet. We need the offensive line to play with the same aggression we show on defense.”

The regular weekly routine began shortly after the buses left the parking lot, with coaches planning to spend two days evaluating film and preparing Week 1 game plans.

“We’re very young and I loved how we came out and played with energy,” Lakeland coach Rob Capelli said. “We’ll get back, meet with the staff and upload the film. It’s going to be a late night.”

Soccer ball on grass

2016 Nanuet Golden Knights
Coach — Peter Patrikis
17th year as head coach

What was your final record last season and where did you finish in the playoffs? 7-7-2; Lost to Nyack on PKs in the outbracket round of the Class A playoffs.

Who are your key returning players? 
Nick Iozo – senior forward 
Matthew Wain – junior midfielder 
Chris Fisher – sophomore midfielder 
Joe Moran – senior defender 
Michael Bucci – senior defender

Who are the key players that you lost to graduation? 
Andrew Blutig 
Daniel Torres

Did you gain or lose any players from the U.S. Academy system? No.

Who is the most skilled offensive player on your team? Chris Fisher.

The best defender? Michael Bucci.

The fastest? Nick Iozo.

The biggest hustler? Manny Machado – senior midfielder.

What do you consider to be your team’s biggest challenges for the season? Overcoming our size disadvantage through hard work and intelligent soccer.

What would you like your team identity or motto to be? Love, baby.

Twitter: @vzmercogliano

Walter Panas players cheer after a point scored in the first set during the Class A State Volleyball Finals.

Preseason lohud volleyball rankings

1. Panas — Much like last year, it’s understood throughout the section that Panas likely won’t be touched before reaching the state tournament. The Panthers have loaded their regular-season schedule with some of the top talent in the section, but it’s doubtful anyone will hold a candle to them. Bold prediction: Panas goes undefeated through the section and contends for (if not wins) the Class A state title.

PANAS: Panas falls short in Class A state final

PANAS: Panas headed to first-ever state final

PANAS: Panas continues domination with ‘A’ title

2. Hen Hud — Sailors head coach Diane Swertfager may say she’s in a “rebuilding” year for the first time in nearly two decades, but the fact remains that Hen Hud’s rebuilding year is still better than most teams in the section. The Sailors travel to Panas in their second match of the year, which will be the ideal measuring stick. Hen Hud won the section in Class B last year, but will compete in Class A this season.

HEN HUD: Sailors enter rare rebuilding phase, prepares for return to Class A

DYNASTY: Hen Hud adds to dynasty with Class B title

SWERTFAGER: Behind the scenes with Hen Hud coach Diane Swertfager

3. Scarsdale — The reigning Class AA section champs lost a ton of offensive firepower in Tatiana Tiangco, Kristine Fink, Courtney Lee, and Sydney Bernstein, who combined for more than 72 percent of the team’s kills last year. The Raiders return a decent amount of height, particularly in 6-foot-1 senior middle blocker Sophie Fried, who should have a tremendous season in her high school swan song.

SCARSDALE: Raiders end 27-year title drought with ‘AA’ crown

SCARSDALE: Raiders run out of magic in ‘AA’ regional final

SCARSDALE: Raiders sweep, split league title

4. Yorktown — The graduation of all-state Catalina Munoz is going to hurt, but the Huskers replenish talent better than anyone around. Yorktown brings back all-section middle blocker Toni Fiore and setter Macey Drezek, who shared sets with Jen DeIulio last year. Senior Nicole Ruffino will likely following in the shoes of her older sister Michelle and anchor the Huskers defense as the team’s libero. Betting against head coach Katy Sherwood has proved to not be a wise decision, for me or anyone else in the section.

YORKTOWN: Cancer-stricken Brielle Furci thankful for Yorktown community

YORKTOWN: Huskers sweep John Jay in finals rematch

YORKTOWN: Huskers display grit, hunger at four-team scrimmage

5. John Jay — It seems like Yorktown and John Jay will be tied together forever, the way their history has panned out in recent years. Indians head coach Tom Rizzotti seemed optimistic about the future after a season-ending loss to Yorktown in the Section 1 Class A semifinals, which also ended the careers of former all-state hitters Julia Mines and Taylor McCarthy.

JOHN JAY: Indians expect success despite graduation losses

RECAP: All-section awards dinner recap

6. Westlake — Last year’s run to the Section 1 Class B semifinals could have been the Wildcats’ way of saying that 2015 was just the warm-up for a title run in 2016. Westlake returns offensive weapons in juniors Lainey Peterson and Caleigh Carr, and sophomore Sydney Roell. Senior middle blocker Kelly Martin will provide excellent height in the middle and veteran leadership for the Wildcats. Replacing all-state setter Steph Rizzo will be a tall task, but Westlake has plenty of talent to turn heads this season.

WESTLAKE: Wildcats end smack talk with sweep

COLUMN: Enjoy the Section 1 volleyball view while it lasts

7. Arlington — The Admirals may be out of our coverage area, and may have graduated a chunk of talent, but they also have a 2,000-plus-student body to reload from. Arlington was two points away from reaching the Class AA section final last year and has a reputation for turning it on in the second half of the season.

ARLINGTON: Mahopac six-team scrimmage preps volleyball teams for season

RANKINGS: Final rankings of the 2015 season

8. Harrison — The Huskies are almost always in the conversation when talking about the Class A field, which is now more loaded than ever. Harrison, which went 17-3 last season, brings back all-conference honorable mention hitter Kayla DeMartini, senior setter Melissa Yanez, and freshman Leslie Yanez, who replaces Sydney Woolf at libero.

HARRISON: Huskies hope to mush back to the front of the pack

PLAYOFFS: Harrison sweeps Ursuline in ‘A’ quarterfinals

9. Ardsley — Three consecutive section finals will earn you the respect of a top-10 ranking when there’s uncertainty as to how your team will perform the following season. Ardsley head coach Dave Ponterio said that playing a schedule loaded with Class A teams will be a blessing or a curse to the Panthers, which will seek a fourth straight Class B finals appearance this year.

ARDSLEY: Panthers still winning with new faces in new places

COLUMN: Punished for being a three-sport athlete?

COLUMN: Nicolina Chenard beats the odds, lands scholarship

10. Pawling — It’s rare to find a team in Class C or Class D that can hold its own with the larger schools, but Pawling should fit the billing. The Tigers bring back a pair of all-state players in seniors Jaclyn Smith and Clara Lombardo from their section-championship roster. Pawling is the perennial favorite to repeat, and has a strong chance to reach the state championships in Glens Falls this year.

PAWLING: Tigers end Dobbs Ferry’s reign in Class C

PREDICTIONS: Section 1 tournament preview

ALL-STATE: Pawling’s Smith, Lombardo named all-state

Class AA — 1. Scarsdale, 2. Arlington, 3. North Rockland, 4. John Jay-East Fishkill, 5. Mahopac, 6. Ossining, 7. New Rochelle, 8. Fox Lane, 9. Suffern, 10. White Plains

Class A — 1. Panas, 2. Hen Hud, 3. Yorktown, 4. John Jay, 5. Harrison, 6. Nyack, 7. Eastchester, 8. Ursuline, 9. Beacon, 10. Peekskill

Class B — 1. Westlake, 2. Ardsley, 3. Valhalla, 4. Nanuet, 5. Pleasantville, 6. Blind Brook, 7. Briarcliff, 8. Irvington, 9. Putnam Valley, 10. Hastings

Class C — 1. Pawling, 2. Haldane, 3. Dobbs Ferry, 4. Keio, 5. North Salem

Twitter: @Zacchio_LoHud

Haldane’s Brooke Vahos bumps the ball during Haldane’s two-game loss to Portville at the state volleyball championships on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

Hen Hud’s Zoe Staats returns a shot to Owego during the Class B regional final between Hendrick Hudson and Owego at John Jay High School in Cross River, Nov. 14, 2015. Hen Hud lost to Owego in five games.

Ardsley plays in the NYSPHSAA volleyball pool play Class B semifinals at the Glens Falls Civic Center Nov. 15, 2014.

Ardsley’s Nicolina Chenard, left, Hayley Kmetz and Christina Chu celebrate winning the Class B Section 1 volleyball final with Nanuet at Croton-Harmon Nov. 1, 2014.

Panas’ Yvette Burcescu (5) slams a kill shot during the 11th Annual Panther Invitational Volleyball Tournament at Walter Panas High School in Cortlandt Manor on Saturday, September 27, 2014.

North Rockland’s Madison Monahan (4) returns to New Rochelle during the game at North Rockland High School in Thiells on Sept. 2, 2014. New Rochelle won the first two sets.

They are seven of the top returning volleyball players in the Lower Hudson Valley, and they are the members of this year’s “Super 7” team:

Super 7

Kiara Adams, Peekskill — The 5-foot-10 sophomore can hit from either side, as well as set. If Peekskill ever fully turns around its program, Adams will be at the center of it all. Adams should be one to keep an eye on during her final two years with the Lady Red Devils.

Yvette Burcescu, Panas — The reigning Journal News/lohud.com Westchester/Putnam player of the year ended her recruitment over the summer by verbally committing to Tulane. The 6-foot-2 junior outside hitter was an All-American honorable mention last year and returns as one of the top talents in the country.

Christina Chu, Ardsley — The junior earned all-section honors as a setter last year after switching from libero, and should see similar success this year. Chu’s soft hands should make for a smooth transition as Ardsley adjusts to new offensive options.

Madison Monahan, North Rockland — The lone Rockland County representative, the 5-foot-10 outside hitter is the primary reason many are calling the Red Raiders a significant threat in Class AA this year. Monahan will easily be one of the most entertaining players to watch in the county this season.

Sabrina Patriciello, Panas — The junior libero garnered first-team all-state honors last year after anchoring Panas’ defense during its run to the Class A state finals. Everyone talks about Panas’ wealth of offensive talent, and deservedly so, but Patriciello is an eye-opening spectacle in the back row who shouldn’t be overlooked.

Zoe Staats, Hen Hud — One of the hardest hitters in the section, the junior southpaw was invited to the prestigious USA Volleyball Youth National A2 Invitational Camp in Colorado in July. Staats earned all-section honors last year after help anchor the Sailors to their 13th section title in 15 years.

Brooke Vahos, Haldane — The Blue Devils may be moving up to Class C this year after winning 13 consecutive Section 1 titles in Class D, but the senior’s all-around play and experience should keep the Blue Devils in a strong position to extend their streak. Vahos’ versatility to hit, set, and block gives first-year head coach Kelsey Flaherty plenty of options.

Second 7

Julianna Bottarini, Panas, Sr.

Lauren Feeley, Panas, Jr.

Toni Fiore, Yorktown, Sr.

Nicole Frascati, Yonkers, Sr.

Annemarie Horn, Scarsdale, Jr.

Kirstin Loh, Hen Hud, Sr.

Mychael Vernon, Ossining, Fr.

Twitter: @Zacchio_LoHud

Alicia Murray, the volleyball coach at Yonkers Middle High School, Aug, 25, 2016. Murray was away from coaching for a while, but has now returned.

Nicole Frascati, left, a senior volleyball player at Yonkers Middle High School, Aug, 25, 2016.

Nicole Frascati, left, a senior volleyball player at Yonkers Middle High School, helps set up a net at the school, Aug, 25, 2016.

Mike Zacchio

Alicia Murray, second from left, greets returning volleyball players at Yonkers Middle High School, Aug, 25, 2016. Murray was away from coaching for a while, but has now returned.

YONKERS – It was bad enough that Yonkers volleyball captain Nicole Frascati was finding out the team was without a head coach less than a week before the preseason officially began. What made it worse was that this has become commonplace for the senior and her teammates.

For the third consecutive year, Yonkers was without a head coach just days before the preseason.

Alicia Murray left her post as head coach following the 2013 season, and said she informed the Yonkers athletic department she did not plan to return the following year before summer break. The last-minute hire of Christine Crowley delayed the Bulldogs’ 2014 season by two weeks.

Crowley informed players in an email on Aug. 10, 2015 that she would not return that fall, citing uncertainty about a teaching position at Yonkers for the school year and her commute from Long Island as the reasons for her resignation.

“I truly wish you all the best of luck,” Crowley said in the email, obtained by The Journal News/lohud. “Feel free to keep in touch as I would love to hear about how you all are.”

Players found out that Crowley would indeed return to the team four days after the email, and two days before the preseason opened. Yonkers players were informed that Crowley would not return this season last Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016, setting off confusion throughout the program.

“So many people were contacting me, telling me, ‘Is there going to be tryouts? I want to try out,’ and I had like no answer for them,” third-year varsity junior Amanda Marji said. “It was very frustrating.”

Players and parents put the pressure on athletic director Jim Rose for clarity surrounding the coaching situation, but struggled to get any concrete answers. Yonkers spokesperson Jeri Fierstein said Wednesday afternoon the school was “working diligently” to finalize a coach for this season.

“It’s just been a nightmare,” said Valerie Frascati, Nicole’s mother, who was in constant contact with Yonkers administration this week. “This is not my responsibility, or the responsibility of a kid that’s 15, 16 or 17.”

Murray stepped up to fill the coaching vacancy after receiving “quite a few phone calls” from Yonkers administration. The deal was finalized Wednesday evening, but an announcement was kept under wraps so that Murray could surprise the team at practice Thursday morning.

Players were on the verge of tears when Murray emerged through the gymnasium doors.

“It’s horrible for the girls,” Murray said of the emotional roller coaster the team has gone through the past three seasons. “Every year has been a different story. It’s not fair to them.”

Nicole Frascati said Murray is “perfect for this position,” and noted that a head coach is more than just a body on the sidelines.

“We need someone who wants to be here,” she said. “We can’t just get someone just because the athletics needs to hire them for the job. We need someone who is qualified and who really is dedicated to the sport and loves what they do.”

The irony surrounding this situation over the last three years is remarkable.

Students and children are taught to honor their commitments, yet the adults they are supposed to be learning from often do not seem to follow the same basic principle. Student-athletes are expected to have pride in their school, yet often it is the school’s administration that is letting them down.

The story may have a happy ending, but it doesn’t make up for the confusion and disappointment the girls had to put up with the last three years. They deserved better.

Twitter: @Zacchio_LoHud

Nyack defeated North Rockland 3-1 in a boys soccer game at MacCalman Field in Nyack Sept. 1, 2015.

2016 Nyack Indians
Coach — Hal Stone
10th year as head coach

What was your final record last season and where did you finish in the playoffs? 4-11-3; Lost in the Class A first round to Lakeland.

Who are your key returning players? Quinn Burch (Sr., MF); Jamie Schutt (Sr., D); Remy Kriz (Sr., MF); Karl McGinnis (Sr., GK); Wismento Saint-Germain (So., F); Ben Sarna (Sr., MF); Zach Stone (Sr., D); Will Ramos (Sr., D); Jeremy Cohen (Sr., D); Eslam Elissy (Sr., F).

Who are the key players that you lost to graduation? None.

Did you gain or lose any players from the U.S. Academy system? Lost one this year.

Who is the most skilled offensive player on your team? Quinn Burch.

The best defender? Jamie Schutt and Zach Stone.

The fastest? Wismento Saint-Germain.

The biggest hustler? Wismento Saint-Germain and Quinn Burch.

What do you consider to be your team’s biggest challenges for the season? Our schedule is difficult. We’re playing a lot of quality teams in the first month.

What would you like your team identity or motto to be? Nyack Proud.

Up next: Fox Lane

I’ll be posting these previews every day leading up to the start of the high school season in early September. Coaches, if you did not receive a capsule email and would like to participate, please fill out the questions below and send them to me at vmercoglia@lohud.com.

Gary Player reacts to a putt on the fourth green at GlenArbor that stopped one roll short of the hole Monday, August, 29, 2016. The 80-year-old was playing in his namesake invitational tournament, which benefits a number of children’s charities.

BEDFORD – Athletes need role models, too.

In the eyes of Bill Haas and many of the other Tour members on hand Monday at GlenArbor, few legends have done more than Gary Player on charitable and social fronts.

The native South African has impacted the entire globe.

“I’m here to learn,” Haas said from a dais that also included Tom Watson. “These guys have grown the game and given back. Learning from them is an opportunity. I can’t emulate what they have done on the golf course, but they are easy to look up to.”

For the second year in a row, the Berenberg Gary Player Invitational drew an important crowd.

The event is part of a lifelong effort by the 80-year-old Black Knight to raise $100 million to benefit a growing list of charities that help children worldwide.

It’s a very ambitious goal.

“Even now, I don’t know how realistic it is,” said Player, who’s surpassed $62 million. “I never thought we’d get to the stage where we were in six different countries. We’re in Abu Dhabi now. We’re in Japan. We’re in China. We’re in South Africa. We’re in America. We’re in England. … We’re changing the lives of millions of people and what better gift is there than that?  All through golf. From having, really, an ambition to help people, it snowballed. To get to $100 million, it would have to come from donations as well because I am 81 in a month’s time. It’s just so gratifying, particularly when you suffered like I did as a kid, having experienced what it’s like to have nothing. That’s when you have the zest to do this.”

Player has raised more than $62 million for his foundation, which helps children across the globe.

The list of PGA and Champions Tour members on hand was impressive

Padraig Harrington, Jay Haas, Branden Grace, Tony Finau, Kevin Kisner, Mark O’Meara, Emiliano Grillo, Larry Mize, Tom Lehman and Geoff Ogilvy were just some of the accomplished players lending their considerable talents.

“Athletes have incurred a debt,” Player said. “That is the best way I can put it. We didn’t play for much money, but guys today are becoming extremely wealthy people. It’s not preordained that you become wealthy or become a champion golfer. The word that comes to mind should be gratitude. I’ll tell you what, golfers are the best. More money is raised through golf than any other two sports put together.”

The man who’s lent his voice to social and political causes over the years has no problem with athletes shining a spotlight where change is needed.

It’s not always the popular move.

There was pushback earlier this summer when Knicks all-star Carmelo Anthony challenged athletes to stop worrying about endorsement deals and start tackling political issues. There was an uproar last week when 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the national anthem to protest what he labeled ongoing social and racial injustices.

Watson has never had a problem speaking publicly about issues on either side of the gallery ropes.

“I think if you have real feeling about a certain cause you should be able to use your platform,” the eight-time major champion said. “We’re athletes. That’s what we do. Some people say, ‘Only talk about your sport,’ but it does give you a bully pulpit, so to speak, and you can talk about issues that really concern you. That’s what Kaepernick is doing. It’s what a lot of people in sports have done in the past. It’s not necessarily popular, but some people like to hear about what athletes are thinking about outside of their sport. It can promote a conversation that wouldn’t have been there before.”

Tom Watson hits onto the fifth green Monday August 29, 2016 during the Berenberg Gary Player Invitational at GlenArbor Golf Club.

Lakeland goalie Cassie Halpin, a junior, at field hockey practice Aug. 25, 2016 in Shrub Oak.

Lakeland goalie Cassie Halpin, a junior, at field hockey practice Aug. 25, 2016 in Shrub Oak.

Lakeland goalie Cassie Halpin, a junior, at field hockey practice Aug. 25, 2016 in Shrub Oak.

The shoe covering, or kickers, couldn’t look clunkier. The leg pads, too.

Throw on padded pants, chest protector and helmet and there you have the second coming of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

Or, in this case, Girl.

With soccer, cross country and volleyball vying for players, not every high school girl wants to play field hockey.

Fewer still want to be a field hockey goalie.

Those who do stand out. No skirt. Different jersey. Aforementioned clunky padding. And a role in which, unlike everyone else, mistakes often end up becoming unwelcome illuminated numbers on the scoreboard.

Cassie Halpin is willing to risk that humiliation.

Lakeland junior goalie Cassie Halpin works during field hockey practice Thursday in Shrub Oak.

She’s the goalie for Lakeland, a team that has won the state championship seven consecutive years. Her sister, Alex, was Lakeland’s goalie. Now she plays for one of the top college programs in the country, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and Cassie would like to follow her into college field hockey.

“I like that it’s different from everyone else on the field,” the Lakeland junior said of being a goalie.

“t’s definitely like a rush when you see someone coming down the field like right at you. … I just think it’s great when a shot comes. … It’s like a rush. Like you know when you’re on a roller coaster and you like get the drop. It’s kind of like that but good.”

The Journal News field hockey Elite 11 all-stars

This is Alyssa Sanchez’s last year in net, or, in better field hockey lingo, in cage. Next year she’ll play lacrosse for SUNY-Binghamton as a defenseman.

But the Suffern High senior has a fondness for being the very last line of defense. She was a street hockey goalie before she started playing field hockey as a goalie. But the position can be mentally taxing.

“As a goalie, you kind of get in your head. The hardest thing is you don’t want to let your team down. You have to have a short-term memory,” she said.

Journal News preseason top-10 field hockey teams

Unlike their counterparts on ice who can cover the puck, goalies can’t cover the ball, so there’s a lot more scrambling and they have to be able to move in all that equipment, a talent that takes work to develop.

“For the most part, it’s hard to get up really quickly sometimes. Usually when adrenaline’s pumping it’s easier. But during a long practice sometimes it’s hard to get up,” Sanchez said.

Coach Gaby Somma, though, doesn’t see a lot of struggles in Sanchez. She views her as a “natural leader,” and “one of the most athletic kids I’ve ever coached.”

“Everybody wants her on their team,” Somma said, jokingly using the phrase that’s uttered around her team, “Chez for Prez.”

Sharon Sarsen, the longtime Lakeland coach, also values athletic goalies, although, with a traditionally high-powered offense and a team that excels at possession, she hasn’t always had to rely on them for wins.

She said she looks for “intelligence, competitiveness, dedication, mental toughness and athleticism” in her keepers.

“I believe goalies must believe they are one of the best athletes on the team and have the ability to influence the outcome of the game in a positive way,” Mamaroneck coach John Savage said.

Savage, whose Tigers have won two straight State Class A titles, said the main physical qualities he looks for are “strength, agility, quickness and eye-hand coordination.”

“Psychological qualities are courage, desire, poise, thick-skinned leadership, puts mistakes behind and the ability to communicate with teammates,” Savage added.

While he wants to be able to check off all these things, he added, “I can truly say in my 20 years of coaching the varsity program I never had two goalies that were the same.”

Getting kids to play the position isn’t always easy. Sanchez noted during her sophomore year she was the only Suffern varsity goalie and the junior varsity also had only one.

“Not many girls favor the position that much,” she said.

In Bronxville, varsity coach Jacqueline Frawley starts recruiting kids for the position when they’re on the modified and JV teams.

This season she’s lucky enough to have two varsity goalkeepers, juniors Catherine Wortel and Katie Gordon.

“An athlete stepping into goal must be dedicated to becoming a leader on the field through personality and skill,” Frawley said. “We do not always find it easy to have girls step up and give it a try, but, with my experience as a coach at Bronxville for 13 years and at the varsity level for seven, once they get in the goal they immediately get hooked. There have been years that we were in a bind and some of my best field players stepped into the goal and never left.”

Don’t count on that with Clarkstown South’s Miranda Linehan.

The junior played “D” as a freshman and moved to offense last year. But during last week’s opening practices she found herself doing something she never envisioned  – subbing in for injured goalie Jackie McDonnell, a role that coach Jordan Turner said could last for the first couple of weeks of the season.

“It’s a little frustrating but I’m happy to do it for the team,” said Linehan, who added she’d never considered playing the position. “The very first day the equipment was very uncomfortable and I was nervous how it would turn out. It’s pretty difficult to move around in the equipment but I’m getting used to it.”

One thing that Linehan, who is also a dancer, likes is making split saves.

She has even made a stack save – diving sideways on one hip with her pads stacked one atop the other.

“I went and did it in a scrimmage and thought, ‘Wow, that really did work,’ “ she said.

While Sanchez said goalies frequently experience pain getting nailed with a shot either on the bottom of their feet or, after a kicker slips out of place, on the side of their foot or on a toe, Linehan has so far remained unscathed.

But despite that and the fun of making split and stack saves, she doesn’t plan on making the goal her permanent address.

“I’m not looking to stay as goalie,” she said with emphasis. “That’s Jackie’s spot.”

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy

MAHOPAC – Mahopac head coach Jay Melville was hoping to get a glimpse of what the Class AA field would look like this season, with reigning section semifinalists Arlington and Fox Lane slated to play in the Indians’ annual multi-team preseason scrimmage Monday. But both teams pulled out of the scrimmage.

Brewster (left) and Mahopac (right) participate in a multi-team scrimmage at Mahopac High School. Aug. 29, 2016.

Fox Lane did not have the minimum six practices required to compete, and Arlington withdrew due to head coach Maria Greenwood having to participate in training for the state’s Dignity for All Students Act. Fortunately for Melville, Hen Hud head coach Diane Swertfager phoned Westlake head coach Carmen Bates, who happily agreed to step in.

Between the Class AA field being so wide open last year — with the section final, both semifinals, and two quarterfinals all going to five sets — and most teams being hit hard by graduation, the ‘‘AA’’ crown could be up for grabs for any team that is in the conversation.

“Volleyball has really picked up in the area from when I first started coaching,” said Melville, whose team reached the section semifinals in 2014. “You just have so many girls who are now playing travel volleyball and are just playing year-round.”

While Monday did not allow Melville to see how his team might stack up against the Class AA field, he said watching the Indians in action will likely force him to make some lineup changes he was not expecting to make going into the event.

Sophomore Carah Vitkus, who set during her debut varsity season last year, said she’ll likely play more of an outside-hitting role this season. That’s not the only change she expects to see this year, she said.

“We’re closer, closer as a team,” she said. “I hope we can stay really close and be strong on the attack.”

Left side, strong side: Westlake assistant coach Gina Perino was amazed by the strength of Hen Hud southpaw hitter Zoe Staats, who was named to the Journal News/lohud preseason “Super 7” team Monday morning. “They should check the floorboards,” Perino said, implying Staats may have dented the court.

Pawling on the prowl: The reigning Section 1 Class C champions enter this year as the Journal News/lohud preseason favorite to successfully defend their title, and the Tigers displayed why Monday. Pawling ran off six consecutive points against Hen Hud in its opening set against the reigning Class B section champ. Hen Hud is competing in Class A this season.

Twitter: @Zacchio_LoHud

1. Lakeland – If any team is going to withstand the loss of four All-State players, one being first-team all-American Dana Bozek, it’s Sharon Sarsen’s Lakeland squad. But whether a remade lineup can keep Lakeland’s multi-year winning streak intact is a very real question. Still, with All-State player Mia Lennon anchoring the defense, All-Section, 28-goal scorer Meghan Fahey at center forward, and U.S. Junior National Camp selection Kelsey McCrudden at midfield, Lakeland has enough talent and depth to be considered the cream of Section 1 and a threat to gun for its eighth straight state championship.

2. Mamaroneck – Graduation wasn’t kind but don’t expect the Tigers, winners of two straight Class A titles, to go away. The Tigers are unusual in that they are goalie-rich. Returnee Charlotte Mackie is being challenged by Katie Rasor and Emma Nishimura. Emily Mahland will head the defense. Expect big years from midfielders, senior captains and All-Section players Paige Danehy and Sophie Miller, and youngsters Bridgid Knowles and Elizabeth Brissette could provide a scoring spark.

3. Horace Greeley – The Quakers won 13 games last season, including a thrilling shootout win against Scarsdale in the Class A semifinals. Greeley lost four starters to graduation and is a team of only juniors. But they’re juniors who’ve played together for a very long time. That’s a plus, along with having Nikki Potter, Katie Graham and All-State player Fiona Grant on the roster.

4. Scarsdale – The Raiders graduated eight, including six starters, from last year’s team that fell in heartbreaking fashion to Horace Greeley in the Class A semifinals. But there’s still a lot of talent here, beginning with midfielder Erin Nicholas, forward Jilly Mehlman and defenseman Emma Coleman.

5. Rye – The Garnets lost a lot to graduation and have a new coach. It’s hard to envision Rye as a rebuilding club, especially not with such skilled players as Fusine Govaert and Lotje Rogaar on the field. If not for those players, Rye might not be in the top 10. But it will still take a lot for it to approach last year’s success: The Garnets were unbeaten before losing to Lakeland in the Section 1 Class B final.

Rye celebrates a goal by Fusine Govaert against Pearl River in the first half of a sectional semifinal on Nov. 4, 2014, at Pearl River. Rye won 2-1.

6. Panas – The Panthers, an improving program, fell to powerful Rye only 2-0 in last year’s sectionals. They are down three starters due to graduation but return junior Danielle Merante, the high-scoring forward. She’ll captain the team with seniors Carlyn Mucci, a hustling midfielder who’s credited with motivating the Panthers, and Jesse Devlin, a forward who returned from injury late last season with a two-goal game. Also back is senior midfielder Julia Gale, the team’s second-leading scorer last season.

7. Bronxville – The Broncos always play bigger than their school numbers. Last year they won the Section 1 Class C championship before running into a buzz saw in the regionals in Whitney Point. The Broncos were schooled. But don’t think they didn’t take notes and will be better this time around. In part, they return Ellie Walsh, who had six goals and 16 assists, and Mia Bettino, who netted 11 goals

8.Suffern – The Mounties are diving into a new league that includes Mamaroneck. That will be a tough opponent, as it always is. But Suffern has depth and is itching to prove it is one of the area’s top teams. Allyssa Sanchez is not about to let up many soft goals and will likely win Suffern some games with her aggressive play. Also look for solid years from Kaity Gannon, Meghan McCarren, Kate Lenihan, Sophie Jay, Alexa Ferris and Kathleen Geary.

9. Rye Country Day – The Wildcats lost five starters to graduation. But RCDS, which fell by a shootout goal to now-more-depleted Hackley for last year’s private school title, has a good nucleus returning in its senior captains – Natalie Alpert, a forward; Cate Mollerus, a midfielder; and Ella Sternberg, a back.

10. North Rockland – A top-10 team last year, the Red Raiders lost three senior captains to graduation. But North Rockland should get strong seasons from junior Liz Fox, a midfielder, and sophomore forward Kerri Guttenberger.

Key dates

Section 1 tournament: Oct. 22-Nov. 1, locations higher seed

Regional championships: Nov. 5, locations TBD

State semifinals: Nov. 12, Classes B and C, Maine-Endwell High School; Class A Vestal High School

State finals: Nov. 13, all classes Maine-Endwell High School

The following are the players selected as the Journal News/lohud.com preseason field hockey all-stars:

Rye’s Fusine Govaert (l), shown moving the ball against Scarsdale last year, is one of the elite players in New York.

The Elite 11

Paige Danehy, Sr., M., Mamaroneck: Coach John Savage is expecting a super year from his center midfielder, who spent part of the summer honing her skills at field hockey camps. “There has been a dramatic increase in her ability this year,” he said, citing her stick skills and shooting. Danehy was already good, serving primarily as a distributor last year with 30 assists.

Meghan Fahey, Sr., F., Lakeland: Fast and persistent, Fahey, an All-Section player last season, is a nightmare for goalies down low with a nose for the goal. The center forward, who had 28 goals last year, should be one of the Hornets’ top scoring threats.

Fusine Govaert, Sr., M., Rye: Fast and incredibly skilled, Govaert had 33 goals and 18 assists for the Garnets in 2015. She was a third-team all-American and an All-State player. With Rye having lost a huge chunk of its team, she may have a hard time putting up comparable numbers, with teams simply keying on her. But this player defines elite. She was selected this summer for the U.S. Junior National Camp.

Fiona Grant, Jr., M., Horace Greeley: An All-State player as just a sophomore, Grant is the Quakers’ main go-to person off penalty corners. She has a super powerful shot, great speed and a reputation for being nothing less than tenacious.

Kelsey McCrudden, Jr., M, Lakeland: McCrudden’s 2015 season may have gone under-noticed because of all the talent that surrounded her. But it wasn’t unnoticed by all. Like Govaert, she was selected this summer to attend the U.S. Junior National Camp. Only four kids from New York received that honor. A strong athlete, she also has great field vision and, according to her coach, knows the game inside and out.

Mia Lennon, Sr. D., Lakeland: Last year Lennon was a shutdown, All-State sweeper. She’s moving to center back, where she’ll quarterback the Hornets’ defense. Lennon is known for her strong outlet passing and also for winning one-on-ones against top talent.

Danielle Merante, Jr. F., Panas: Merante had 22 goals and five assists as just a sophomore. She’s lost some surrounding help but, being a year older, expect her to build on her already considerable talent.

Erin Nicholas, Sr., M, Scarsdale: The All-State honoree is equally adept on the defensive end – where she serves as the disrupting flyer on penalty corners – as she is on offense, where she had 17 goals and nine assists last year.

Lotje Rogaar, Sr., D., Rye: The All-State player will be the backbone of the Garnets’ defense. She may be called on to make big plays more this year with a revamped team but that’s OK because Rogaar is Ms. Reliable on “D” and is also known for her crisp outlet passes that ignite offensive rushes.

Alyssa Sanchez, Sr., G., Suffern: There were games last year when the final score didn’t reflect Sanchez’s performance. That’s because the very athletic goalie was often peppered with shots. She made more than 140 saves, including 30-plus vs. both Rye and Mamaroneck. Her coach, Gaby Somma, noted she took away a lot more by coming out of her crease to beat opponents to the ball.

Sophie Miller, Sr., M., Mamaroneck: The All-Section left midfielder has been known for her drive, stick work and defense. Last year she inserted the ball on corners and scored most of her 13 goals off deflections. But this year Miller will be at the top of the circle for corners and will be one of the Tigers’ main options. As a result, Savage expects double the number of goals from her.

Twitter: @HaggertyNancy

Game action as Pelham is hosted by Byram Hills during their boys soccer quarterfinal Class A game at Byram Hoills High School in Armonk Oct. 26, 2015.

ARMONK – Few local soccer programs, if any, enter each new season with loftier expectations than Byram Hills.

The Bobcats have reached the semifinals in Class A for 10 straight years, an incredible feat by any standards. They were Section 1 champions and state semifinalists in 2014, and the prevailing thought was that a repeat was coming in 2015.

Then came an overtime loss to Tappan Zee in last year’s sectional semifinals — a sudden and harsh reminder that expectations don’t always lead to results.

“With the season that we had before it, some of the guys almost felt like it was a given that we were going to make it that far,” senior goalkeeper Matt Groll said. “I think it’s proven to some of the guys returning, who watched (Tappan Zee) run off and celebrate on our field — it just proves to us that nothing is going to be given to us. That team that went to the state semifinals, it was nothing but hard work that got them there. I’ve seen a lot of that at practice this preseason.”

On paper, you could argue that this year’s Byram team should have an even brighter outlook.

It returns the only All-USA preseason selection from Section 1 in senior midfielder Jack Beer, who is committed to Georgetown. It also returns Groll, a three-year starter in goal who stands 6-foot-7, plus other key contributors such as Indra Neil Dan, Michael Bordash and the Noel brothers, David and Ryan. Add in super sophomore Tyler Harp, a former U.S. Academy player who should step in as an immediate starter, and the Bobcats have enviable talent.

Byram Hills goalie Matthew Groll makes a save in front of Alejandro Pizarro during the Byram Hills vs. Port Chester boys soccer game in Armonk, Sept. 4, 2015. Byram Hills beat Port Chester 1-0.

But talent doesn’t always lead to wins, and coach Matty Allen has stressed that this preseason.

“Our team really didn’t play well when the chips were down,” Allen said. “We talked about this year adopting more of a toughness. Grit was the word that we used over and over in our team meeting. Rather than letting the play come to us, we realize that we have to really be a little tougher and take it to our opponent.”

With what appears to be a loaded team in almost every facet of the game, Allen’s biggest concern is replacing graduated striker Ben Weinstein. He got hurt during the playoff loss to Tappan Zee, and the level of play fell off after that.

Beer chipped in with 12 goals and 10 assists last season, and is clearly Byram’s most dynamic player. But in order to take some of the pressure off of him, the Bobcats will move to a two-forward system, with seniors Max Levy and Michael Gelb getting the first cracks at the starting spots.

“There’s been some debate, whether I should play up top or in the middle, but I think my best spot is in the middle,” Beer said. “It gives you the best position to distribute and score. If you’re just up top, there’s not much room to dominate the game.”

Byram will face difficult challenges from the get-go, with its opener against Long Island’s Jericho on Saturday, followed by a rematch with Tappan Zee during the Westchester vs. Rockland Challenge on Monday.

It will be a telling few days for this proud program, but the Bobcats know they’ll ultimately be judged based on how they follow in the footsteps of the teams that have produced a decade of prominence.

“I always say, ‘The goal is to win our last game,’ ” Beer said. “It’s pretty simple, but the journey there is anything but simple. It’s going to take a lot of hard work, and I think we’re ready.”

Twitter:  @vzmercogliano

5 Teams to Watch

North Rockland should make a splash in Class AA season with talent like "Super 7" pick Madison Monahan returning.

Ardsley: The Panthers will come back down to earth this year after enjoying a nice run of success (with signs of domination) over the last few seasons. Ardsley head coach Dave Ponterio said the Panthers will be playing an extremely difficult regular-season schedule that could hurt them come playoff time. Ponterio said the team could be looking at a possible .500 record for the regular season, much like Hen Hud did three years ago. Then again, following in Hen Hud’s shoes wouldn’t be the worst thing for Ardsley.

Haldane: The Blue Devils move up to Class C this year after more than a decade of running roughshod in Class D and will be breaking in its third head coach in as many seasons. Haldane alumna Kelsey Flaherty takes the reigns of the Blue Devils, who have reached the state finals in each of the past six seasons, winning in 2011 and 2013. Flaherty was a member of the 2011 championship squad.

Haldane will face much stiffer competition in Class C, especially with reigning section champions Pawling just as dangerous as last year. The Tigers return both of their all-state players in Jaclyn Smith and Clara Lombardo, which won’t make the Blue Devils’ quest for a 14th consecutive section title any easier.

VOLLEYBALL: Journal News/lohud ‘Super 7’ players announced

VOLLEYBALL: Preseason power rankings

COLUMN: Yonkers volleyball deserved better

North Rockland: The talent across Rockland County and Class AA is down compared to recent years, but several section coaches have been saying great things about the Red Raiders. North Rockland was relatively young last year, and the breakout seasons of sophomore Madison Monahan and freshman Jaida Patrick gave spectators plenty to gush about. Unfortunately for the Red Raiders, Patrick transferred to Long Island Lutheran to focus on her budding basketball career.

North Rockland still has plenty of talent returning in Monahan, senior hitter Morgan Frawley and sophomore setter Jessica Ouderkirk, and Class AA does not have a clear-cut favorite, which bodes well for the Red Raiders.

Ossining: The Pride are back up to Class AA after a stint in Class A, which actually works to their advantage. The Class A field is loaded with competitive teams, including reigning state finalist Panas, which should make it back to Glens Falls this year. Ossining returns five of its top six hitters from last year, junior setter Lauren Ojito, and junior libero Nadia Lau. This could be the year Ossining jumps onto the radar before making a title run in 2017.

Tuckahoe: Say hello to your Section 1 Class D champions. Seriously. The Tigers are the only team in Class D this year, meaning they will be the section’s representative for the state tournament in November. For that reason alone, it’s worth keeping an eye on Tuckahoe this season.

Twitter: @Zacchio_LoHud

Each year, The Journal News/lohud.com reveals its Super 11. This is a list of the best of the best, the top football players in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam Counties. Many of the past honorees have gone on to have success at the high school, college and even professional levels.

All day today, Josh Thomson will unveil this year’s selections for the 2016 Super 11, lohud.com’s top preseason honor. Stay tuned on the website, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat to hear the honorees in their own words as well as analysis of what makes them super.

Hannes Boehning, a inside linebacker and fullback with the Rye Country Day School, photographed Aug. 19, 2016.

Hannes Boehning

School: Rye Country Day

Year: Senior

Positions: FB/MLB

Height: 6-1

Weight: 212

Fast facts: Boehning’s size and skill and off-field exploits have earned him serious attention from Ivy League schools. That includes offers from Columbia and Cornell and interest from the likes of Harvard and Penn. He also became the school’s first state wrestling champion since 2012 when he won the NYSAIS tournament at 222 pounds last winter.

Hannes Boehning, a inside linebacker and fullback with the Rye Country Day School, photographed Aug. 19, 2016.

The other 2016 lohud Super 11 Selections:

Somers’ Messiah Horne

Spring Valley’s Devan Lawson

Stepinac’s Antonio Giannico

Brewster’s Jack Guida

Rye’s Mat Bruno

Iona Prep’s Rodney Samson Jr.

Spring Valley’s Ori Jean-Charles

Hackley’s Winston Britton

New Rochelle’s Jared Baron

Stepinac’s DeVante Reid

Each year, The Journal News/lohud.com reveals its Super 11. This is a list of the best of the best, the top football players in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam Counties. Many of the past honorees have gone on to have success at the high school, college and even professional levels.

All day today, Josh Thomson will unveil this year’s selections for the 2016 Super 11, lohud.com’s top preseason honor. Stay tuned on the website, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat to hear the honorees in their own words as well as analysis of what makes them super.

Rodney Samson Jr., a running back and outside linebacker with the Iona Prep football team, photographed Aug. 19, 2016.

Rodney Samson Jr.

School: Iona Prep

Year: Senior

Positions: RB/OLB

Height: 6-2

Weight: 206

Fast facts: After converting from wide receiver, Samson Jr. led the Gaels in rushing with 509 yards and had 15 catches for 128 yards and scored six touchdowns. He is just one of two Iona Prep players expected to start on both sides of scrimmage and has garnered interest from FBS and Division II schools.

Rodney Samson Jr., a running back and outside linebacker with the Iona Prep football team, photographed Aug. 19, 2016.

The other 2016 lohud Super 11 Selections:

Somers’ Messiah Horne

Spring Valley’s Devan Lawson

Stepinac’s Antonio Giannico

Brewster’s Jack Guida

Rye’s Mat Bruno

Rye Country Day’s Hannes Boehning

Spring Valley’s Ori Jean-Charles

Hackley’s Winston Britton

New Rochelle’s Jared Baron

Stepinac’s DeVante Reid

Each year, The Journal News/lohud.com reveals its Super 11. This is a list of the best of the best, the top football players in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam Counties. Many of the past honorees have gone on to have success at the high school, college and even professional levels.

All day today, Josh Thomson will unveil this year’s selections for the 2016 Super 11, lohud.com’s top preseason honor. Stay tuned on the website, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat to hear the honorees in their own words as well as analysis of what makes them super.

Ori Jean-Charles, the quarterback for the Spring Valley High School football team, photographed Aug. 19, 2016.

Ori Jean-Charles

School: Spring Valley

Year: Senior

Positions: QB/OLB

Height: 6-4

Weight: 220

Fast facts: After transferring back from Don Bosco Prep, where he made the varsity as a sophomore, Jean-Charles eclipsed 1,000 yards passing and rushing as a junior. He also threw for 20 touchdowns and rushed for five more. He holds offers from Albany, Stony Brook, UMass and Florida A&M and has received interest from FBS schools.

Ori Jean-Charles, the quarterback for the Spring Valley High School football team, photographed Aug. 19, 2016.

The other 2016 lohud Super 11 Selections:

Somers’ Messiah Horne

Spring Valley’s Devan Lawson

Stepinac’s Antonio Giannico

Brewster’s Jack Guida

Rye’s Mat Bruno

Rye Country Day’s Hannes Boehning

Iona Prep’s Rodney Samson Jr.

Hackley’s Winston Britton

New Rochelle’s Jared Baron

Stepinac’s DeVante Reid

Each year, The Journal News/lohud.com reveals its Super 11. This is a list of the best of the best, the top football players in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam Counties. Many of the past honorees have gone on to have success at the high school, college and even professional levels.

All day today, Josh Thomson will unveil this year’s selections for the 2016 Super 11, lohud.com’s top preseason honor. Stay tuned on the website, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat to hear the honorees in their own words as well as analysis of what makes them super.

Winston Britton, a wide receiver for The Hackley School football team, photographed Aug. 19, 2016.

Winston Britton

School: Hackley

Year: Senior

Positions: WR/CB

Height: 5-10

Weight: 168

Fast facts: Britton has been an all-America sprinter on the track and now holds four Division I-FCS football offers, including Yale, Cornell, Columbia and Navy. As a junior, he caught 35 passes for 677 yards and 11 touchdowns, had 36 tackles and three interceptions and returned two punts for touchdowns.

Winston Britton, a wide receiver for The Hackley School football team, photographed Aug. 19, 2016.

The other 2016 lohud Super 11 Selections:

Somers’ Messiah Horne

Spring Valley’s Devan Lawson

Stepinac’s Antonio Giannico

Brewster’s Jack Guida

Rye’s Mat Bruno

Rye Country Day’s Hannes Boehning

Iona Prep’s Rodney Samson Jr.

Hackley’s Winston Britton

New Rochelle’s Jared Baron

Stepinac’s DeVante Reid

YORKTOWN – Few people would be excited about a 5 a.m. wake-up call, never mind high school students who are in the final days of summer vacation. But when it means a trip to Walt Disney World, it helps explain the Ursuline volleyball team’s elation following head coach Gigi Kemp’s reminder following Tuesday’s four-team scrimmage.

Ursuline plays Pelham High School during girls volleyball scrimmage game at Yorktown High School on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016.

The Koalas, who will be participating in the KSA Events Volleyball Classic, will head down to Florida on a high note after an impressive showing against Pelham, Harrison, and host Yorktown.

“The goal is always to improve from yesterday’s practice or yesterday’s scrimmage and do one thing better,” Kemp said. “I think that they got better as the day went along. We worked out some kinks. We had our ups and downs, but overall, I thought it was a good improvement.”

Ursuline will compete in Class AA this year after a long stint in Class A, which boasts smaller schools based on enrollment numbers but often has more talented volleyball programs than in the higher classification. With reigning state finalists Panas expected to reach the Glens Falls Civic Center again this year, the move up to Class AA — where there is no clear-cut favorite — should be beneficial to the Koalas.

“It’s been the same crew that we play in playoffs, so it’s going to be exciting to have different teams to look forward to competing against,” said Kemp, who reached the Class A section final in her first season with Ursuline in 2011. “I’d like to get to the finals.”

The Koalas return nine seniors from last year, including a lethal hitting combination in Charlotte Stivala and Katie McLoughlin, but are also working a number of underclassmen into the lineup.

“It’s a whole new team for us,” Stivala said. “In the beginning of preseason, I was a little nervous, honestly, but this whole week we jelled so well as a team and (Tuesday) it really showed that if you have a whole week of being together 24/7 that it really helps on the court.”

Huskies take a big ‘hit’ to offense: Following a promising breakout sophomore year in which she garnered an all-conference honorable-mention nod, there were high hopes for outside hitter Kayla DeMartini this year. Unfortunately for the Huskies, the junior moved to Milwaukee over the summer. “You hate to lose a player like that when you could’ve had her for two more years,” Harrison head coach Candy Light said.

Twitter: @Zacchio_LoHud

Each year, The Journal News/lohud.com reveals its Super 11. This is a list of the best of the best, the top football players in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam Counties. Many of the past honorees have gone on to have success at the high school, college and even professional levels.

All day today, Josh Thomson will unveil this year’s selections for the 2016 Super 11, lohud.com’s top preseason honor. Stay tuned on the website, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat to hear the honorees in their own words as well as analysis of what makes them super.

Jared Baron, a running back and inside linebacker with the New Rochelle High School football team, photographed Aug. 19, 2016.

Jared Baron

School: New Rochelle

Year: Junior

Positions: RB/LB

Height: 5-7

Weight: 190

Fast facts: Baron, the only junior on this year’s Super 11, is already in his third year on the varsity. He started on both sides of scrimmage as a sophomore and helped the Huguenots win the Section 1 Class AA championship by rushing for 672 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Jared Baron, a running back and inside linebacker with the New Rochelle High School football team, photographed Aug. 19, 2016.

The other 2016 lohud Super 11 Selections:

Somers’ Messiah Horne

Spring Valley’s Devan Lawson

Stepinac’s Antonio Giannico

Brewster’s Jack Guida

Rye’s Mat Bruno

Rye Country Day’s Hannes Boehning

Iona Prep’s Rodney Samson Jr.

Spring Valley’s Ori Jean-Charles

Hackley’s Winston Britton

Stepinac’s DeVante Reid