SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — With Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake down five points late in the opening set, Alex Wemyss went to the service line and helped turn the match. The junior outside hitter served seven consecutive points, including an ace that tied the set at 18, and the Spartans went on to win their 24th straight sectional girls’ volleyball championship.

Top-seeded Burnt Hills swept No. 2 Bethlehem 25-20, 25-16, 25-13 in Friday’s Class AA final at Saratoga Springs High School. The Spartans, ranked third in the state in Class AA, earned their 31st sectional title overall.

Bethlehem led 18-13 in the opener before the Spartans won eight successive points to go ahead 21-18. Burnt Hills coach Gary Bynon credited Bethlehem coach Lisa Kniffin and her players for putting the Spartans under pressure early.

“We talk about scoring a point at a time,” Bynon said. “Next thing you know, we’re in it, Alex gets a couple good serves, and here we are.”

Wemyss finished with 16 kills, nine digs and four aces. She credited the support of her teammates and the family and friends in the stands.

“This team has so much grit,” Wemyss shared. “We just, we keep going, and we don’t let up until the end.”

Bynon singled out senior defensive specialist Ava Lyons, who had three aces and three digs, for her serving in the final two sets. Freshman middle blocker Carmella Barnett had two blocks, drawing praise from Bynon for her play late in the third set.

Devyn Pultorak added 13 kills for the Spartans, while junior setter Leah Vaughan recorded 33 assists to bring her career total to 1,998. Senior libero Audri Chamberlain led Burnt Hills with 13 digs. Freshman Adrianna Paniccia added 11, and eighth grader Ella Tassone had five.

“It’s honestly such an honor to play for this team,” Vaughan remarked. “It always is. We really have each other to just lift us up.”

Sophomore Brynn Sollien led Bethlehem with 11 kills. Sophomore Madelyn Palmer added seven, and senior setter Mae Walston had 18 assists. The Eagles finished 15-4.

Bynon said he told his players before the match that they had a chance to put their own stamp on the program’s run.

“We’re not here to repeat history,” Bynon noted. “We’re here to make it.”

Burnt Hills (17-1) will host the Section III champion in a regional final at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13.

Brunt Hills' Carmella Barnett [12] goes up for the block. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake defeated Bethlehem, (3-0), in the Section 2, Class AA, high school girls sectional volleyball title game, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at Saratoga Springs High School, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Mike Gwizdala - MediaNews Group).Brunt Hills’ Carmella Barnett [12] goes up for the block. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake defeated Bethlehem, (3-0), in the Section 2, Class AA, high school girls sectional volleyball title game, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at Saratoga Springs High School, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Mike Gwizdala – MediaNews Group).Burnt Hills libero Audi Chamberlain [2] slides for the dig. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake defeated Bethlehem, (3-0), in the Section 2, Class AA, high school girls sectional volleyball title game, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at Saratoga Springs High School, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Mike Gwizdala - MediaNews Group).Burnt Hills libero Audi Chamberlain [2] slides for the dig. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake defeated Bethlehem, (3-0), in the Section 2, Class AA, high school girls sectional volleyball title game, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at Saratoga Springs High School, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Mike Gwizdala – MediaNews Group).Brunt Hills' Leah Vaughan [13] attempts a serve. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake defeated Bethlehem, (3-0), in the Section 2, Class AA, high school girls sectional volleyball title game, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at Saratoga Springs High School, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Mike Gwizdala - MediaNews Group).Brunt Hills’ Leah Vaughan [13] attempts a serve. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake defeated Bethlehem, (3-0), in the Section 2, Class AA, high school girls sectional volleyball title game, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at Saratoga Springs High School, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Mike Gwizdala – MediaNews Group).Burnt Hills' outside hitter Alex Wemyss [6] plays the ball at the net. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake defeated Bethlehem, (3-0), in the Section 2, Class AA, high school girls sectional volleyball title game, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at Saratoga Springs High School, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Mike Gwizdala - MediaNews Group).Burnt Hills’ outside hitter Alex Wemyss [6] plays the ball at the net. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake defeated Bethlehem, (3-0), in the Section 2, Class AA, high school girls sectional volleyball title game, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at Saratoga Springs High School, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Mike Gwizdala – MediaNews Group).
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake defeated Bethlehem, (3-0), in the Section 2, Class AA, high school girls sectional volleyball title game, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at Saratoga Springs High School, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Mike Gwizdala - MediaNews Group).Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake defeated Bethlehem, (3-0), in the Section 2, Class AA, high school girls sectional volleyball title game, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, at Saratoga Springs High School, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Mike Gwizdala – MediaNews Group).