Hills, Eastport advance in boys volleyball

Chris Kaimis had 10 kills, Cody Lau had 20 digs and Remy Janco added 40 assists to lead Half Hollow Hills (18-0) to a 25-18, 25-20, 25-19 over Massapequa (13-2) Saturday in the Long Island boys volleyball Division I final.

Hills advances to pool play in next Saturday's state tournament at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.

The Chiefs made a mini run in the second set, cutting a 15-10 deficit to 22-20. But the Thundercolts fired back, scoring the final three points to take a 2-0 lead.

Massapequa never threatened in the third set, leaving Hills to celebrate yet another victory.

"This is unbelievable," Lau said. "We got it done, we're going to states and everybody is ecstatic about that."

In Division II, Bellmore JFK and Eastport-South Manor had played four sets, each decided by three points or less, so when it came down to a deciding fifth, both sides were searching for breathing room.

ESM found it, but not on a spectacular kill or a devastating block. Holding a 9-6 lead, JFK (16-1) hit one kill attempt long, another into the net and then let a serve drop just before the end line.

Before long, ESM (19-1) had JFK doubled up at 14-7 and would win the Division II championship 23-25, 25-22, 26-24, 22-25, 25-21, at Longwood High School. Ryan Brandow had nine blocks and eight kills, and Ryan Brisson added 48 assists, five kills and five digs.

Eastport advances to play the winner of today's Eden/Victor regional in the Division II state final on Saturday in Cicero. .

"It's the greatest feeling in the world," Brisson said. "I can't even express it into words."