Young Connetquot wins Suffolk Class AA championship
Connetquot celebrates their win over Smithtown East in the Suffolk Class AA girls volleyball final on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Back on Sept. 24, Smithtown East's girls volleyball team defeated a young Connetquot squad that had won its first five matches. Connequot lost in three straight games, but after the frustration subsided, the Thunderbirds' resolve shone brightly.
"That match, I think, was probably a pivotal part of the season for us," coach Justin Hertz said. "I'm happy that we lost that one, in retrospect."
Since then, all the Thunderbirds had done was go 13-0 while losing only four games, paving the way to a rematch with the undefeated Bulls, this time with the Suffolk Class AA title on the line.
When it mattered most, it was the T-birds who won Thursday night, 14-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-23.
"I thought my kids showed a ton of resiliency after losing the first game," Hertz said.
From a defensive standpoint, the Sept. 24 loss was a reality check for a team whose starting lineup includes freshmen Daniella Balsano, Mackenzie Cole, Nicole Migliozzi, Cassandra Patsos and Mackenzie Taylor -- the "Fresh Five."
"We didn't take very good care of the ball in that match. We had a different defense, which we've changed since," Hertz said. "Overall, we just carry a different demeanor when we head to the gym. Our defensive changes [made] a difference."
After looking overwhelmed in Thursday night's first game, the T-birds (19-1) took the court in the second with a different swagger. Like their loss Sept. 24, the title match's first game was pivotal. "We really came together as a team at that point," Patsos said.
Back-to-back aces by Taylor to end the second game handed Smithtown East (16-1) only its fourth lost game of the season. From there, Connetquot's blend of youth and veteran leadership spelled two two-point victories to send the T-birds into the Long Island championship.
"No matter what grades they're in, we all work together," said Alexis Tramondo, the lone starting senior. "It's a team thing. Just because they're freshmen doesn't mean it's any different. We're all on the same playing field."
It's that mind-set that has had the Fresh Five playing like veterans for the duration of the season. "We owe a lot to the older players,'' Patsos said. "I thought we got a lot of help from them the whole season."
Hertz knows what he has in his young core.
"They worked really hard coming in,'' he said. "They came early every day for practice and worked extremely hard, and each deserves to start. They've set us up to be really good for a long time."
