GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (WROC) — To be the best, you've got to beat the best and that's just what the Sutherland girls volleyball team did on Sunday morning. The Knights took down Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake from the Albany area in four sets, dethroning the defending state champs to win the NYSPHSAA Class A title. Burnt Hills had also won three of the last four state titles. "It means so much. I'm so excited," said junior outside hitter Leah Klueber. "I still have another year so we're ring chasing again next year. I'm so happy and I'm so proud of this team." The state title was the first for Sutherland since 2014 and the fourth in program history. The Knights won state titles in 2010, 2013, and 2014. They also made the state title game in 2012. "I don't think it's set in yet. It's pretty special," said head coach Taylor Rivera. "This team has been together with me for almost three years, the core of it. To break that dry spell with them, it's pretty awesome, to say the least." Burnt Hills defeated Sutherland in three sets in pool play on Saturday and got out to a quick 4-0 lead in the first set. But the Knights were not discouraged as they scored the next five points to take the lead. Burnt Hills led 17-15 midway through the set before the Knights racked up six straight points to push in front 21-17 and secure the first set 25-23. Sutherland trailed once again in the second set, down 21-18. But they rallied to tie the set up at 23 and won the final two points to win 25-23 again. "That was huge for us, for our mindset being able to pull that out," said Rivera. "I think early on in that set we got a little comfortable and we kind of took our foot off the gas. To be able to get back on it, get back in, and pull that set out was huge for us. That was a pivotal moment." Burnt Hills did not go down easily as they stormed back to take the third set 25-12. But the Knights answered with authority by building a quick 7-1 lead in the fourth set. "As a team, we definitely had to come together, have communication, and just know that we were all there for each other and be supportive," said Klueber. That gave them a lead that they never relinquished, winning the fourth set 25-17. "I wasn't surprised by the resiliency. They've done it time and time again," said Rivera. "We try and build in a competitive, tough schedule leading up to the postseason so we've been in these situations before." Senior outside hitter Jordyn Leader led the offense with 20 kills, including the kill on match point. She also had 12 digs and two aces. Klueber had 17 kills and 13 digs. Junior setter Chloe Cunniffe had 49 assists, 12 digs, three kills, and two aces. Junior right-side Jessie Powers had 14 kills. Junior libero Jamie Kotalik had 18 digs and seven assists. This was an eventful week for Kotalik, who finished sixth in the state in Friday's diving finals before heading to Glens Falls for the volleyball championships. Sutherland finishes the season with a 20-2 record. Their only two losses were to Fairport, the Class AAA state champions, and St. Mary's, a private school powerhouse from the Buffalo area. They entered the state final four on an 11-game winning streak.