Robert Pierce, Eden Volleyball Teams

EDEN VOLLEYBALL TEAMS   as of 11/15/21

24th Year under Coach Robert Pierce 

• Overall 533-124 (.811)
• DIV III  270-5  (.981)
• 24 Division III Titles
• 14 Section B Titles
• 5 Sectional B-2 Title
• 8 NYSPHSAA State Intersectional Titles -  (before State Championship was established) 
• 2017 NYSPHSAA Class B State Champion 
• 27th year Teaching at Eden Central Schools Global 10 Regents and AP World History 

As a Player

• 4-year Scholarship starter at Penn State University  1986-89
• 3 x Final 4's 
• 2 X NCAA All American
• Held the single-season Digs and Aces record for 20 years at PSU
• 5 years pro player in Switzerland 1991-1995 

Mary Jo Cerqua, Baldwinsville Central School District

Mary Jo Cerqua has been the Head Varsity Volleyball Coach for the Baldwinsville Central School District for the past 32 years.  Cerqua is a 1986 graduate of SUNY Cortland, 1988 masters degree in Education and received her Certificate of Administration degree in 2003.   In the year 2000, Mary Jo began the Blast Volleyball club in Central, NY.   The volleyball club provided opportunities for kids around the CNY area to play USA travel volleyball.  She is widely respected in her community and the Central NY area for building strong, consistent, and highly effective programs that extend well beyond the Varsity level.  

Cerqua has won 24 league Championships, 23 Section 3 Championships, 16 State Regional titles and 2 State Championships. 

Other accomplishments include a 6 year (1999 – 2005) consecutive winning streak of 104 matches, 12 year (2008 - 2019) Section 3 Championship consecutive winning streak, 2006 Coach of the year for Central NY Inside High School Sports, National High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the year finalist in 2009, National Federation of HS Sports Coach of the year in 2013, New York State Volleyball Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2016 and has also been recognized numerous times as the Section 3 Class AA Coach of the year.  At the end of her 2021 season, her overall record for best 3/5 match games is 585- 47.  

When not coaching, teaching middle school Physical Education or speaking at volleyball clinics, Cerqua enjoys traveling, watching her 2 sons play collegiate volleyball and spending time at her Camp on Sodus Bay.  She and her husband, Frank live in Baldwinsville, New York.

Gail Schaffer, Hudson Falls

Gail Schaffer was a Physical Education teacher and coach at Hudson Falls during a time when girls' sport - interscholastic participation was in its infancy! She was a pioneer in pushing for equality for girls athletics at the time that title 9 was just implemented.  Gail was a successful coach of multiple sports at Hudson Falls. She won a sectional title in field hockey, as well as multiple Foothills titles in basketball, softball and field hockey. But volleyball was her first love. She coached volleyball from 1974 until 1992, where she amassed 507 wins to 42 losses.

Along with winning 16 Foothills titles, 13 sectional titles, 5 regional titles ..  She won the very first Class B NY State title in 1990 and she proceeded to 3 peat with that title in 1991 and 1992.  An accomplishment respected today as being few and far between. 

Her legacy, values, and dedication to girls sports still exist today in Hudson Falls. 

Gail was a mentor for many young coaches, a fierce competitor in the game, a leader in her discipline, and a friend to all.  She had the respect of her female athletes and colleagues as well.. 

Upon finishing up her coaching career/teaching career and retirement, she continued to contribute to Volleyball by officiating the sport she knew so well.