NYSPHSAA VOLLEYBALL: CORNING TOPS PENFIELD TO WIN REGIONALS (November 14, 2026)

BY BRIAN FEES
Southern Tier Sports Report
CHENANGO VALLEY — The Corning Hawks won the first two sets on their way to a four-set victory over Penfield that helped the Hawks claim the regional championship on Saturday.

Corning won the match in four sets, all the sets decided by three points or loss, 25-23, 26-24, 23-25, 25-22. 

Char Starns had a huge match with 22 kills, three digs, two blocks and nine pints and Paisley Emmick had 50 assists, nine digs and seven points. 

“Winning regionals means so much to us,” Starns said. “Especially knowing how hard we’ve worked all season to get here. I’m so proud of our team and the way we played today. It was a close match, but we stayed together, fought hard, and never gave up on each other.

Winning regionals was very special to a team with a large group of seniors.

“It’s special tow in regionals to me, because I’ve always been so hard on myself and the team and to put all the hard work we’ve been working on out on the court, just means so much,” senior Bella Gonzalez said. “I’m extremely proud of my tea. I could not ask for a better team, even when we get down we know how to pick each other up.

“I’m so extremely excited for states, and I believe we can win states if we put all the work in. I told my coach at the beginning of the game, ‘I’m doing it for my dad’ and to me that pushed not only me, but my tea and so for that I think my coaches and all my teammates.”

“I’m so excited that we get to keep playing and present our team at states. We can’t wait.”

Sam Molingou had 17 kills, two digs and four blocks and Jillian Wood had nine kills, 20 digs, two blocks, an ace and five digs. 

To win a match where every game was so close was a total team effort for the Hawks. 

“I am just really , really proud of the team we have become,” Sophie Schoonover said. “Not just winning games, but becoming a family who can rely on each other when things get hard. It is so special to win and continue playing as this team has become something extremely special to me and I can’t even think about what our last game together will feel like.

“We really executed when things got hard and used our tool boxes as hitters to put the ball down. I’m ecstatic, I can’t wait to experience it with my team.”

With the win the Hawks advance to the state final four. The Hawks, Mercy, Bay Shore and Shenendehowa are the four teams in pool play at 2 p.m. on Nov. 20 at Harding Mazzotti Arena. 
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PROVIDED PHOTO. 

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