Pennino's winner sends Wantagh to state 'A' finals

Nicole Kelly lobbed it and Lauren Pennino's immediate thought was, "states." She leaped up high. "I'm thinking states." She sent a hard one-hander blistering into the short right corner. "States." No return.

States. Wantagh survived a five-game tug of war with Bellport, 25-23, 22-25, 25-10, 8-25, 25-22, Saturday to win the Long Island Class A championship at C.W. Post. They'll compete in the state tournament on Saturday in Glens Falls.

"It was huge," said Pennino, who had the winner in the Nassau title game. "When it goes up, in those spots, you get so much adrenaline."

Wantagh (15-0) had a 20-13 lead in Game 5, but there was no way Bellport would let them coast. The Clippers (20-1) pulled to within 24-22. But then Pennino struck.

"They have so much heart," Warriors coach Katie McKeefrey said. "Some had their A-game game and others didn't, but they all played hard."

Jenny Ilibassi had 25 kills, Christina Bush had 20 assists, Nicole Simeone had 13 digs and Kelly added 13 assists to lead Wantagh.

And if there's one thing they might be better at than volleyball, it's dancing. There were elaborate handshakes and high-fives and the three-second heel-clicking number between Ilibassi and Carissa Gagliardi. When it was over, naturally, the iPod got cranked and the rug - well, hardwood - was cut.

Lindenhurst wins AA. The others celebrated after Lindenhurst's final point - a Massapequa return that went into the net - but Liz Gorman needed a moment to wipe the tears and gather herself.

"We're on top," the emotional senior said. "We're not underdogs anymore."

They're Long Island Class AA champs now. The Bulldogs defeated Massapequa, 25-21, 27-25, 20-25, 26-24, to earn their second Long Island title.

Lindenhurst (17-1) rallied from down 24-22 in the final game and Kayla Morgan served up the winner.

The Bulldogs reached states in 2008, but only three players on the current roster were part of that group.

"Back then it was the 'Sam, Sam & Kylie Show,' sophomore setter Emily Clemens said, referring to stars Sam Rosario, Sam Lukralle and Kylie Clemens. "Now it's Lindenhurst girls volleyball."

Alyssa Marchino had 10 kills and six digs, Clemens had 26 assists and eight digs and Jenna Clemens had 13 digs and eight kills.

Lindenhurst took the first two games - Gorman ended Game 2 with a well-placed two-hand tap - but the Chiefs (17-1) clawed back in Game 3, finishing on a 9-1 run.

"We're a resilient team," said Bulldogs coach Kellie Block, whose team toppled defending Suffolk champ Ward Melville. "Our confidence is sky-high now."

Glenn claims B again. The Glenn volleyball team should consider consulting a realtor about property in Glens Falls. The Knights earned a 10th straight Long Island title and booked themselves another trip upstate with a 25-11, 25-9, 25-9 win over Floral Park in the Long Island Class B final.

Melissa Rigo had 18 kills and three aces, Alexa Zbytniewski added 22 assists and Danielle Evers had 14 digs to lead Glenn (21-2).

"We weren't going to take Floral Park lightly," coach Kevin Harrington said. "We didn't know what to expect, but the girls were up for it . . . But our work is just beginning."

The Knights last won a state championship in 2007.

"We want another one more than anything," Zbytniewski, a senior said. "We're on a mission."

Mattituck takes Class C. Mattituck - and its raucous face-painted fans - could feel it, the brass ring at its fingertips midway through the third game. They were loud throughout and just awaiting the cue to erupt. They had to wait a little for it, though. A scream deferred.

After dominating the first two games and taking a 17-7 lead in the third, the Tuckers watched Carle Place fight back to force a fourth game, quieting the fans. But Mattituck (12-9) got back to business and clinched in Game 4.

Behind Claire Finnican's 12 kills and 12 blocks, the Tuckers captured their first Long Island Class C title, 25-16, 25-13, 25-27, 25-15, over the Frogs. Joanna Koronios had 10 kills and 10 blocks for Carle Place (17-2).

"There's nothing like this," Frank Massa, in his 24th year as coach, said. "Nothing."

Senior Stefanie Loverde said she's never been too far upstate, "and I've been waiting a long, long time to make that trip."