LI teams vie to be 1st boys state champ
Massapequa's Christian Smith (3, left), spikes the ball as Port Washington's Ben Adler (12, right), goes up to try and block him during their game at Roslyn High School,. (Nov. 5, 2010) Credit: Richard Slattery
It's only been one year since the NYSPHSAA established a boys state championship, and Long Island is looking for its first champion. Could it be Massapequa's dynamic duo, small-school powerhouse Eastport-South Manor or team-on-the-rise Lindenhurst? Come Nov. 19 in Cicero, we will find out.
Class A
This might be the year for two-time defending county champion Massapequa, to contend for a state title. Setter Christian Smith and outside/middle hitter Chris Husmann, both seniors and reigning All-Long Island selections, could be the Island's best one-two combination. Junior libero Frank DelGiudice and middle hitter Steve Woessner give the Chiefs a stout defensive core.
Plainview JFK, on the losing end of last year's epic five-set county final, graduated six seniors from that 2010 team. Coach Russi Villalta said she is installing a new offense that will reflect her smaller starting lineup, which includes setter Evan Schwartz and outside hitter Chris Ferolitio.
Nipping at JFK's heels for the No. 2 spot is Port Washington, which kept most of its team intact. Junior Jong-Ho Byun can play all over the court and is one of the county's elite talents. Outside hitter Daniel Minicucci moves from setter, where he will be replaced by Kevin Nardone.
Class B
Floral Park coach Ryan Obloj likes his team's chances. After being swept at last year's county final by three-time defending champion Bellmore JFK, he returns four starters who are hardened by disappointment and ready to finish the job. Senior outside hitter Jason Cortapaso and middle hitter Jahan Mirchandani should help create matchup problems on the front line.
Despite three consecutive county titles, Bellmore JFK graduated two of the county's top players and will field a young, inexperienced team led by middle hitter Ben Canarick and setters Jake Sherman and Gary Anderson.
Roslyn returns five starters, including junior middle blocker Alex Gubernikoff and fifth-year starter John Choi, who will play either libero or outside hitter.
Jericho has returning All-County outside hitter Sean Lohan and senior right-side hitter Stephen Watt. After a semifinal exit in 2010, they have the seasoning to contend for a finals berth.
League I
If the majority of Suffolk coaches are correct, this should be Lindenhurst's year. They have a nucleus of retuning players who have embraced playing the sport year-round at the club level. Senior middle hitter Travis VonHolt has the ability to take over games, while Gerard Gigante will fit in at either outside or right-side hitter.
Defending Long Island champ and state runner-up Half Hollow Hills returns only one starter, outside hitter Calvin Manchenko. They will also start over with a new coach, Todd Donaghy, who moves over from Syosset. With a new regime and a lack of varsity returnees, the Thundercolts are expected to take a few steps back.
Sachem East is led by two-time All County middle hitter Randall Colson and outside hitter Nick Laffin, who is two years removed from a serious knee injury.
Sachem North brings back four starters, including setter Chris Haun and senior middle hitter Matt Cahill, the team's top offensive option.
League II
Northport is at the top of the pack and will rely on senior setter Pat Gathman and outside hitter Brady Ambro, who will move over from the weak side.
Bay Shore coach Andres Borromeo expects nothing less than a deep playoff run. The Marauders return four starters, most notably middle hitter Peter Jensen and right-side hitter Joe Norman. After two straight first-round exits, the Marauders might be in line to go a step or two further.
Smithtown East, the 2010 runner-up, is led by senior middle hitter Dan Thixton.
League III
Led by returning All-Long Island setter Ryan Brisson and outside hitter John Bohnenblusch, Eastport-South Manor is the consensus favorite to make a repeat trip to the state tournament.
Boys vollleyball players to watch
Ryan Brisson
Eastport-South Manor
Sr.
Jong-Ho Byun
Port Washington
Jr.
Randall Colson
Sachem East
Sr.
Pat Gathman
Northport
Sr.
Chris Husmann
Massapequa
Sr.
Christian Smith
Massapequa
Sr.
Travis Von Holt
Lindenhurst
Sr.
