By Marley Seaman
The Baldwin squad reached the Nassau County finals last season, and held off a series of challenges from East Rockaway to improve to 8-1. Their only loss this year came against Massapequa, a team that also has only one loss.
"They definitely have the depth" to be "county contenders or county champions this year," said coach Janine Heilbronn. With seven seniors, they also have the experience. Baldwin has won two county championships in Heilbronn's nine complete seasons, and made the finals a total of four times. The Baldwin girls' team was one of the standout programs on Long Island in the late 1990s, and that form may be returning.
The first of the game's three sets featured a long run from each team. Baldwin scored 11 of 12 points to take a commanding 18-6 lead, but was unable to put it away. East Rockaway fought back, closing the Baldwin advantage to 21-18. A crucial injury was partly to blame: senior middle/outside hitter Bridget Hayde twisted an ankle in the early going and was lost for the rest of the match.
"Her going down took the wind out of our sails a little bit," Heilbronn said. "The momentum changed."
Baldwin managed to hang on, winning the next four points to finish the set, 25-18.
The second set was tense throughout, featuring nine ties and four lead changes. Neither team was able to open up a lead larger than two points. Baldwin took control for good at 22-21, winning by a nail-biting 25-23 on a kill by senior middle/outsider Stephanie Betancourt.
"Stephanie Betancourt had an amazing game. She was the dominant force," said Heilbronn. Betancourt led Baldwin with 18 kills, and also smacked five service aces. Junior Ashley Davis and senior Colleen Weidman each added eight kills, and Weidman also had 27 digs.
"We can play with the best of them in Division I," said East Rockaway coach Gus Baco, pointing to the second set. The visitors fell to 3-6 with the loss, and Baco said his team needed to become more consistent to improve.
Leading the attack for East Rockaway was middle/outsider Brittany Fuller, a senior.
"We go the way Brittany Fuller goes," said East Rockaway coach Gus Baco. "If she has a great game, the team has a great game." Fuller finished with six kills and seven blocks. Baco, a first-year coach, was impressed by what he saw.
"They're very well-balanced," he said. "[Betancourt] is an all-around player... very talented."
With a commanding lead, the Baldwin girls seemed to relax, and it showed in their improved passing. They started the third set with three straight points and raced away with it, 25-13.
There are seven regular-season games left for Baldwin, including an Oct. 11 contest against Hewlett at home. A rematch against Massapequa on Oct. 31 may become the most important game of the season.
