Mike Ianniello sparks Bellmore JFK to volleyball title
Bellmore JFK's Michael Ianniello hits during the Nassau Class A boys volleyball finals at SUNY-Old Westbury on Nov. 12, 2015. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Bellmore JFK is back on top of Nassau Class B boys volleyball.
The No. 1 Cougars, who won county titles in 2012 and 2013, defeated No. 3 Jericho, 25-18, 25-20, 25-19, in the Nassau final Thursday night at SUNY Old Westbury.
For this group, it's even sweeter after a 6-12 campaign in 2014.
"I'm so happy," said tournament MVP Mike Ianniello, who had 15 kills. "We wanted this so bad last year and we were stricken with injuries and it was horrible. Now we're all healthy. It's a great feeling."
Bellmore JFK (17-4) never trailed in the first set, and Jericho hung close to force a tie at 9. Then Ianniello's three kills and Jonah Zeitlin's two kills led the Cougars on a 7-1 run that opened a 17-10 lead and forced a Jericho timeout. After the Jayhawks (11-8) cut it to 21-17, the Cougars went on a 3-0 run to get to set point and force another timeout. Jericho got the next point, but Ianniello soared for the set-clinching kill on the next one.
"It just gave us the momentum we needed," Ianniello said. "Once we get that momentum, it's all good from there. We can't be stopped. We always try to get that momentum. It's the driving force behind every victory we get."
With the score tied at 6 in the second set, Owen Bradley (six kills) spiked a setup by Josh Levine (39 assists) to spark a 9-1 run. Jericho answered with a 10-3 spurt that tied the game at 18, but a kill and then a block by Bradley started a set-clinching 7-2 run.
The third set featured 13 lead changes and 12 ties, and with the score knotted at 16, Bellmore JFK secured the last lead change on Jericho's miscommunication, which allowed the ball to drop for a point.
Getting to tomorrow's Long Island championship against Hauppauge was never a guarantee. Neither is a return to the state tournament, but the Cougars are one win away.
"We talk about that stuff all the time," coach Dennis Ringel said, "just to make sure they take a moment to appreciate all this."
