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SCHENECTADY – Andrew Borgman was thrilled that this time, the Shenendehowa boys' volleyball team didn't have to go the distance to get past stubborn rival Shaker.
In each of the previous two seasons, Shen and Shaker met for the Section 2 Division 1 championship. The Mustangs prevailed both times, but required the full five sets to do so in 2024 and 2025. The two teams played another five-set epic in their regular-season meeting earlier this fall, with the Blue Bison handing Shenendehowa its only loss of the season.
Friday night at Schenectady High School, Shenendehowa took care of business in straight sets, winning 3-0 by scores of 25-22, 25-19 and 28-26 as the Mustangs hoisted the Section 2 championship plaque for the fifth straight season.
"We just had to finish the game," said Borgman, Shen's standout senior setter. "That's been the plan since the start of the year: Coming out hot, then separating, getting the lead and finishing the set. Finishing that last one felt amazing.
"Finishing in three is a lot of stress that we don't have to deal with."
While the match didn't go the distance, the final set was plenty stressful. Shen found itself five points from a title up 20-16, but Shaker rallied to force a tiebreaker and fought off three separate match points before senior Ryan Guetti, who briefly exited the match moments earlier while nursing an arm injury, delivered the final spike to book the Mustangs' spot in next weekend's state tournament in Rochester.
"Me and Guetti have been on the team since the 2024 season as sophomores, and our connection is unmatched," Borgman said. "You can't find another setter and hitter in the state that's been playing with each other for that long."
Key moment
After Shen fell behind 9-6 in the second set, the Mustangs rallied and had a 13-12 lead when a point that would have leveled the set was awarded to Shaker. However, despite both officials initially agreeing on the point, Shaker coach Sam Halpern conceded that the ball went off one of his players before going out of bounds, and the point was given to Shenendehowa.
"It's super respectable whenever an opponent shows integrity and shows honor on the court," Shen coach John Coletta said. "That's just a testament to (Halpern), who he is as a person and a leader in his program. They have a great coach."
When the point was awarded, Borgman shouted across the court to Halpern that, if the situation were reversed, "I'll do the same thing. I promise you."
After that point, Shen pulled away to win the set comfortably to move to the brink of the championship.
Star of the game
Shenendehowa has no shortage of talented outside and middle hitters between seniors Carson Mochrie, Guetti, Cameron Seeberger and Egan Cullinan, as well as junior Matthew Swenton, but it was the play of senior setter Borgman with his 38 assists that put those hitters in position for success.
"I've been playing with these guys since 14U on our CSVC (Capital Sliders Volleyball Club) club team," Borgman said. "I couldn't ask for better teammates. Everyone on our team can come in and hit, serve and pass."
Numbers to know
38:Assists provided by Borgman, who also finished with nine digs and two kills.
9: Kills spiked home by Shen senior Guetti, including the championship clincher in the third set.
5:Consecutive Section 2 Division 1 titles won by Shenendehowa.
What's next
Shenendehowa:The 18-1 Mustangs will take part in Division 1 pool play at the state tournament on Nov. 21 at Finger Lakes Community College. The semifinals and final are the following day at Roberts Wesleyan University.
Shaker: The Blue Bison's season came to an end with a 14-5 overall record.
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This article originally published at Borgman leads Shen boys' volleyball to 5th straight Section 2 title.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/borgman-leads-shen-boys-volleyball-040721243.html
