Defending state champ Sachem North repeats as LI champ
Sachem North players react against Massapequa in the Class A Long Island boys volleyball championship final on Saturday, November 14, 2015. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Paul Curaro and Matt Grace dove, Neil Tufano leaped and Rob Nolan lunged over the top.
No, this was not any particular play during Sachem North's victory over Massapequa Saturday, but rather what happened after the game, as the Arrows formed another dogpile after a championship win.
Curaro and Nolan had 14 kills each and Grace had 45 assists to lead Sachem North over Massapequa in the Long Island Class A volleyball championship at SUNY Old Westbury. Adam Bloomfield added 10 kills and two aces, Dan LaRosa had six digs and Nolan had five digs for the Arrows, who won, 25-22, 21-25, 25-16, 25-17.
With the win, the Arrows have the opportunity to complete their title defense Saturday at Suffolk CC-Brentwood at the state tournament.
"That feeling of winning and coming together with your brothers never gets old," Grace said of the team's customary celebration. "That's what motivates us to work hard every day."
"It's so great to just have the chance to jump on your teammates and celebrate," said Ralph Lunati, who had six kills.
"It gets better and better every time," Nolan said.
Before they could celebrate, though, the Arrows were tested by Massapequa (18-1), as the Chiefs pushed Sachem North in the first set, and won the second set by four. It was only the third set Sachem North dropped this season.
"Massapequa has big hitters and they play with a lot of energy," Nolan said. "We knew they were going to challenge us, so we had to come up with more fire in the third set."
Said Curaro: "We came together in the huddle and we said, 'guys, we have to play our game. If we play our game, we beat these guys.' And that's what happened."
Sachem North won 17 of the final 26 points in the third set, and never trailed in the fourth.
"We focused up, we played our brand of volleyball, and that's why we came away with the victory," Tufano said.
"I'm so proud of this group of guys we have," coach Matt Rivera said. "The group of seniors we have, we know what they've done to prepare, so I'm so happy for them."
Sachem North will now look to cap a second straight undefeated season and earn another dogpile.
"I love the feeling," Curaro said, "and I'm looking for one more."
