Match MVP Alice Beckett leads Kellenberg to NSCHSAA girls volleyball title
Kellenberg is the CHSAA girls volleyball champions after defeating Sacred Heart on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 in Oyster Bay. Credit: Dawn McCormick
It wasn’t Kellenberg’s game plan to play from behind, but every time the Firebirds faced a deficit, they found another gear.
No. 2 Kellenberg saved three set points in the first game as it defeated No. 1 Sacred Heart, 28-26, 25-17, 20-25, 26-24, in the NSCHSAA final at St. Dominic on Tuesday night.
Alice Beckett’s back-to-back kills and an error allowed Kellenberg to tie the first set at 24. Julia Bonino’s ace glanced off a defender, giving the Firebirds the set.
“We talked about how bad we wanted this for each other and just doing things for the person beside you,” Beckett said. “We had some moments where we came out of ruts and it’s because we stuck together.”
Beckett tallied 12 kills and nine blocks as she was named MVP of the match. Bonino had 21 assists, including the 500th of her career and 14 digs. Lisa Cortizo had 14 kills and Elizabeth McDermott had 19 digs.
“Alice is a basketball player who hadn’t played volleyball in years,” Kellenberg coach Cathy von Schoenermarck said. “She took on a leadership role tonight and we’re blessed that she decided to play for us and was willing to be coached.”
Sacred Heart took a 12-7 lead in the second set, with two kills and a block from Ania Galanek contributing to the advantage. Beckett had two kills and Jaclyn Creegan had two aces as Kellenberg went on a 5-0 run to tie it. Kellenberg scored the final three points of the set, winning it on Charleigh Durnan’s block.
Kellenberg reacts as it wins the CHSAA girls volleyball final against Sacred Heart on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 in Oyster Bay. Credit: Dawn McCormick
“I really appreciate how patient everyone has been with me,” Beckett said.
“She came in and has put in so much work every day,” Bonino said. “That’s why she’s the MVP.”
Sacred Heart went ahead 17-7 in the third set, but Kellenberg answered with a 9-2 run as Beckett had four kills and a block. Galanek had three straight kills as Sacred Heart maintained its advantage and took the third.
Sacred Heart got three kills from Nora Evangelista and an ace from Emily Madden as it took an 8-1 lead in the fourth. Kellenberg got two aces from Bonino during a 14-5 run and took a 15-13 lead on Durnan’s kill.
“Things didn’t go our way for one set, but it gave us momentum,” Bonino said. “We knew we had a little breathing room and we had the step above them to keep pushing through.”
Sacred Heart (11-3) trailed 23-17 but tied it at 24, getting three kills from Galanek. Valentina Battisti’s kill and an error ended the match.
Kellenberg (11-1) will play in the CHSAA state tournament at 1 p.m. on Sunday at St. John’s University.
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.
