Newsday's Athlete of the Week is Islip girls volleyball player Jane Tierney

Jane Tierney led Islip into Friday’s state pool play round... — Jane Tierney led Islip into Friday’s state pool play round of the Class A Southeast Regional girls volleyball tournament. Credit: Dawn McCormick

By Jonathan Rubanjonathan.ruban@newsday.comUpdated November 19, 2025

Jane Tierney refused to let the Islip girls volleyball team’s season come to an end. After losing to Half Hollow Hills West in the county final, the Buccaneers received an at-large bid. With a second chance, she made the most of the opportunity.

The 6-foot outside hitter had 19 kills, 10 digs, and an ace to lead visiting Islip to a 25-22, 25-23, 25-14 victory over Owego Free Academy in the Class A Southeast Regional final on Saturday. For her efforts, the junior is Newsday Athlete of the Week.

“We want to go show everyone on Long Island that we deserved this win,” Tierney said. “My mentality was to put the ball away and get the next point because all I wanted in that moment was to win the regional championship.”

She added, “We did not know we were going to get this chance to play at this high a level. We crumbled against Hills West, and I felt like we could’ve beaten them. Losing that game lit a fire inside of us, and it fueled the win against Owego.”

Coach Michael Schober credited Tierney’s hard work and effort for the win. “I would get to practice 20 minutes early, and she’s already there with the net set up,” Schober said. “This is the type of person she is. She’s the first one there and the last one to leave.”

“I love training,” Tierney said. “Not being able to play club, the season is the only time I have with volleyball. The more time I get with it, I’ll take the chance.”

Tierney is a multisport athlete who plays basketball in the winter and lacrosse in the spring. “A lot of the skills used in basketball and lacrosse are the same in volleyball,” Tierney said. “It helps with my movement and the way I see the game.”

In addition to her performances on the field, Tierney serves as the president of the Friendship Club, where she helps special education students make friends and participate in activities such as unified gym, unified basketball, and the Special Olympics. “It makes me happy to see those kids who struggle and who have disabilities be friends with the regular education kids,” Tierney said. “I got all of my friends involved, and now in the hallways, I see them walking with each other. It makes me proud seeing everyone in our school closer together.”

Islip (15-4) advanced to the state pool play semifinal round at 2 p.m. on Friday at Harding Mazzotti Arena in Glens Falls, and Tierney is looking to make an immediate impact for the Buccaneers.

“To play my best game, I have to stay relaxed,” Tierney said. “Enjoying the game, I love, as well as having the desire to win, is going to keep the energy up.”