Glenn's Melissa Rigo LI volleyball Player of Year
Glenn's Melissa Rigo tips the ball over the net during the Class B finals against Pelham. (Nov. 20, 2011) Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Glenn outside hitter Melissa Rigo almost became the volleyball superstar that got away.
In middle school, she played volleyball and soccer and was faced with a choice. She could have followed the lead of her sister, Melanie, now a junior midfielder at Marist College.
But Rigo chose to forge her own path.
"I didn't want to be in her shadow," she said.
Spiders coach Kevin Harrington, who also coached Rigo in middle school, had a feeling her decision would shape the program's future.
He could not have been more right.
Three years later, Rigo is Newsday's Long Island Player of the Year.
"From a skill standpoint, she is probably better than anybody I've coached," said Harrington, the coach since 1992.
Rigo's four-year varsity numbers are astounding: 1,074 kills, 1,001 digs and 193 aces. She helped the Spiders to four undefeated league seasons and four Long Island titles.
Last month, she was named Tournament MVP as Glenn won the state Class B title, its first since 2007.
"[Harrington] has coached so many amazing girls, and I wanted to be one of the best since I was a sophomore," Rigo said.
Added Harrington: "The team, they got some of their confidence from her demeanor on the court. She's comfortable against good competition, which goes a long way toward helping the rest of the kids."
At the state tournament, Rigo pulled her right quadriceps during the second-to-last game of pool play. She had less than 24 hours to recuperate for the final. "She said, 'coach, there is no way I'm not playing,' " Harrington said.
Less than 24 hours later, Rigo posted eight kills, nine blocks and seven digs in the state final sweep of Pelham.
And after one of the great girls volleyball careers in recent memory, it is safe to say Rigo made the right choice.
