Twice as good: Senator Murphy congrats Walter Panas girls' volleyball team for winning second consecutive state championship

Cortlandt Manor, NY - Winning a championship validates the hard work and sacrifices a team makes on its journey toward greatness. Teams that win championships in consecutive years are considered among the elite in their sport.  The Panas Panthers, the girls' varsity volleyball team for Walter Panas High School, etched their name alongside the greats in their sport on November 18, 2017, when they won the New York Class A championship for the second consecutive year.
 
Senator Terrence Murphy recently recognized the team's tenacious desire to succeed and boundless sense of sportsmanship by presenting the players, Coach Joe Felipe, and Athletic Director Dan Belfi with New York State Senate Proclamations.                                                    
"Bringing home a championship is a great accomplishment. Doing it two straight years is amazing. The team worked hard together and supported one another, accomplishing an almost impossible goal," said Senator Murphy. "You managed to maintain the delicate balance between sports and academics. Being able to maintain that balance will serve you well as you move on to college and then choose your profession. Your consecutive championships are a fine example of hard work paying off."
 
Coach Felipe said, "I never thought we would be able to go back and win the championship for the second time. The players meshed well together and stayed focused on the prize. It was a great experience for all of us. I am proud of them and I am already looking forward to next season."

Walter Panas played against Kings Park, Williamsville East and Burnt Hills in the semi-finals, and went on to defeat Williamsville East 3-0 for the championship, finishing with an impressive regular season record of 22-0.
 
The team was led by Coach Felipe and Assistant Coaches Ashley Murphy and Kurt Pellaccio.  Members of the team included Alanna Mansell, Stephanie DeLuca, Victoria Getting, Hallie Gallinger, Yvette Burcescu, Lauren Feeley, Alexis Diaz, Kirtsen Yeager, Kayla Greenwald, Jillian Dolman, Jennifer Braun, Juliene Pineda, Demitra Spanos, Salma Aghe and Sabrina Patricella.