Manchenko leads Hills through tough week unscathed

Half Hollow Hills boys volleyball passed its biggest test of the season thus far, and made its case to be considered Suffolk’s best team.

Sweeping what coach Todd Donaghy called a “hell week”, Hills handed Lindenhurst and Sachem East their first losses of the season and added a non-league win over Roslyn to improve to 6-1.

“It was a difficult week for us,”  Donaghy said.  “It was very challenging to play two of the top teams in the county and one from Nassau.”

Unsurprisingly, the team relied on Calvin Manchenko, who continued his streak of recording at least 20 kills in each match this season. Manchenko had 28 in the 3-0 win over Sachem East, Saturday, 22 in the 3-1 win over Lindenhurst, Monday and 24 in the 3-1 victory against Roslyn, Thursday. Donaghy said Manchenko and Peter Griffenkranz have been on top of their games.

“[Manchenko] is carrying us offensively but defensively and passing wise the team is playing collectively very good volleyball right now,” Donaghy said. “[Griffenkranz’s] stats don’t stand out on paper but he’s one of our top passers and plays great defense.”

Hills has a big challenge this Friday Oct. 5 when it hosts Northport, the only team to beat Hills this season