Cara Loriz

The Shelter Island varsity volleyball team has made history. They defeated the Haldane Blue Devils in Bellport Friday, 28-26, 25-21, 24-26, 25-19. They are the New York State southeastern region champions and the first Island squad to go to the state championships undefeated (16-0).

The Indians will travel to Glens Falls Civi Center for the state semi-finals on Saturday, November 21. A win on Saturday will advance them to the Class C and D finals on Sunday.

"For us, this was huge," Coach Cindy Belt said Saturday. Haldane has been a pervasive post-season roadblock.

The Indians advanced to the regionals in 2005, 2006 and 2008 only to be beaten by Haldane. In 2007, the girls advanced to the state tournament by default but lost in pool play — Haldane went on to become the state champs that year. The Indians also went to states by default in 2004 but lost all their pool games.

See the November 19 Reporter for complete game coverage.