Port Washington netters rally to upend Massapequa

Port Washington's Daniel Dougherty-Samowitz jumped on the back of teammate Ben Adler as the team converged on a huddle. After dropping the first two games, Port had just won the fourth to force a deciding fifth in a Conference I match against visiting Massapequa Wednesday.

After winning the fifth game in dramatic fashion, Dougherty-Samowitz and Adler would have a lot more to celebrate as they handed the Chiefs an 18-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-19 defeat.

Yesterday's victory, a rematch of the spring county final won by the Chiefs, was sweet revenge for a Vikings team that lived with the county finals loss all summer.

"This just changed our entire season," senior libero Michael Murphy said.

Added middle hitter Adler: "The feeling was redemption from last year. That's what it was."

Adler led the team with 15 kills and eight blocks, while Murphy added a team-high 35 kills.

Port (7-1) took an early 4-3 lead in the first game on an emphatic kill from Kevin Nardone. The Chiefs (7-1) would regain momentum with a solid service game and disciplined front-line play from junior middle blocker Chris Husmann.

SEE PHOTOSPort Washington vs. Massapequa

The Vikings would have their second chances in the second game. After falling behind 15-10, they would go on a four-point run to cut the deficit to one. They would tie the score at 23 on Jongho Byun's kill, but an ensuing Port service fault put Massapequa one point away from a 2-0 lead.

Christian Smith clinched the second game on a service ace that careened off the outstretched hands of Murphy.

After taking the third game, Port built a 19-12 lead in the fourth and would hold on to force the deciding stanza.

The fifth saw the Vikings continue their momentum, as they built an early lead and held on.

Husmann said his team just didn't play up to their abilities down the stretch.

"We should have won," Husmann said. "We beat ourselves in the last game."

With Port's win, Plainview JFK (8-0) remains the only undefeated team in Conference I.

Undefeated records are well and good. But Port is past coming up just short. This season, they have their eye on the ultimate prize.

"This tells the county that, although we graduated a lot of guys, we're here to win."