Simi Familusi, Grace Cergol extend Glenn's dynasty
Glenn's Simi Familusi drives the shot between two Bayport-Blue Point players in the Suffolk Class B final on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014. Credit: George A. Faella
Simi Familusi and Glenn's girls volleyball team were the underdogs in Wednesday night's county final.
Let that sink in for a second. This is a team that was going for a 15th consecutive county title and a 13th straight Long Island championship, so it may seem strange.
Embracing the role of David rather than Goliath, No. 3 Glenn defeated No. 1 Bayport-Blue Point in five games in the Suffolk Class B final at Suffolk Community College.
Familusi had 36 kills and setter Grace Cergol had 36 assists and 13 kills for Glenn in its 25-19, 16-25, 26-24, 20-25, 25-18 victory.
"We came in knowing we were the underdogs and we had something to prove,'' Familusi said. "When we came in and we were the third seed, everyone just counted us out. We used that as drive to bring us forward.''
After fighting off double game point to win the third game, Glenn dropped Game 4 and had to play a deciding fifth game.
"We got a little ahead of ourselves,'' Familusi said of the fourth game. Heading into the fifth, Familusi said, "I think we all just came in thinking we're not going to let [the pressure] get the best of us."
It did not, as Glenn rallied in a back-and-forth Game 5, winning the last eight points to clinch the match.
As is often the case for Glenn, Familusi was the key. "Simi was relentless,'' coach Kevin Harrington said. "Sometimes they had three blockers up [to stop her]. I can't say enough about her. It's been a pleasure coaching her.''
Cergol agreed with Harrington. "Simi is amazing,'' Cergol said. "It's just so fun to watch her play. Whenever I give her a ball, she puts it down no matter what.''
Familusi was equally complimentary. "There is no hitter without a good setter,'' she said. "Grace is my right-hand man. She's always there. I know I never have to worry. It's always going to be in a spot where I can hit it.''
Glenn will go for the Long Island title on Sunday at SUNY-Old Westbury.
4-peat for Kings Park. Amanda Gannon had eight kills and 13 digs, Emily Stephens had eight kills and four aces, and Kat Benson had nine kills and three blocks to lead Kings Park in its 3-0 win over Westhampton in the Suffolk Class A final.
Kings Park (19-0) won, 25-14, 25-7, 25-23, for its fourth consecutive county title and its 66th straight win against Long Island competition.
"It's such a great accomplishment to be a part of a team like this,'' Gannon said. "We always have a target on us, but honestly, it just motivates our whole team to do better.''
"There's really no feeling like it,'' Stephens said. "Amanda Gannon and I, this is all we know in our high school volleyball career. That's definitely something that we don't take for granted.''
Stephanie Cornwell added 28 assists for Kings Park .
Kings Park will play for the Long Island championship Sunday at SUNY-Old Westbury.
