Reggie Bharath sets up Port Washington’s late push
Reggie Bharath, left, is hoisted into the air by Port Washington teammate Stanley Elysee air after the 5-7 Bharath successfully spiked one in the second set of a Nassau boys volleyball match against Bellmore JFK at Port Washington on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. Port Washington won in straight sets, 25-23, 25-21, 25-15. Credit: James Escher
Reggie Bharath used every inch to get up for the highlight of the night.
The 5-7 Port Washington setter leapt up for a huge block and kill in the second set of Monday’s 25-23, 25-21, 25-15 win over visiting Bellmore JFK in a crossover between Nassau A-I and B-I in boys volleyball, redirecting the ball into the hardwood and inciting a big celebration from his much taller teammate.
Stanley Elysee, a 6-3 senior, was so excited he hoisted Reggie up in exuberance.
“Stanley is probably the best teammate somebody can ask for,” coach Maria Giamanco said. “He just got so excited, he picked Reggie up and gave him a big hug.”
Bharath, a sophomore and first-year varsity player, had 18 assists and an ace to go with his emphatic kill. Elysee had six kills and two blocks. Connor MacPhail sparked the team with 12 kills, five aces and two blocks.
“We brought the energy and enthusiasm to the court,” Bharath said.
Bharath supplied much of the energy, and as a setter, it made sense for Bharath to be the ignition. He said that he has the confidence in his teammates to set the ball high and let them swing.
“They’ll almost always swing hard,” he said.
Port Washington (6-4) has big wins in the past two games against Massapequa and Bellmore JFK (9-3), priming the Vikings for a late push in the playoffs.
With Nassau A-I up for grabs, according to Giamanco, the Vikings are peaking at the perfect time. They’ve received contributions from Bharath, Elysee, MacPhail, Daniel Dash and others, making them a real threat to the other conference teams.
“I’ve been saying this since Day 1,” Giamanco said, “I really believe Nassau A is up for grabs. Even though we have four losses, I think we’re in that mix.”
And they’re playing with the attitude to prove it.
