Kennedy wins county volleyball crown –– again!

Two and half years, three seasons and three County Championships — that’s likely how seniors on the Kennedy boys’ volleyball team will remember their time as Cougars. Kennedy swept Floral Park 25-16, 25-17 and 26-24 in the Class B Championships Thursday night to take home the county crown.

The Cougars stepped on the court determined to defend their back-to-back titles. Having watched tape on Floral Park to prepare, head coach Dennis Ringle said Kennedy had a set game plan coming in. A strong defensive game led by senior Libero Dylan Simonson helped secure the Cougars’ early lead. A huge kill from 6-10 co-captain Brian O’Gorman gave Kennedy the 18-12 lead that would eventually give way to a win.

Floral Park came out on the offensive in the second game, jumping out to an early lead. Laying on strong blocking as well, the Knights took a 9-6 lead over Kennedy. But the Cougars’ previous championship experience paid off. Kennedy quickly rallied and got their defensive game back, tying the score at 9-9. Tournament MVP Ben Hirschler came up big with O’Gorman at the net blocking and going for the kill. Hirschler had 12 kills, and O’Gorman tallied 11 kills and four blocks across the three games. The Cougars quickly regained control of the game and the lead to win 25-17.

With two games under its belt, it was evident that Kennedy, a seasoned squad, had been to and won at championships in the past. Ringle said the older players prepared the underclassmen for the experience.

“They talked on the bus with the younger kids about what it’s going be like,” he said. “Not to warm up too early, to relax and really enjoy the moment. That being passed on from one group to the next, I think that championship experience helps out.”

Game three was a tighter match. The loud crowd and mental aspects of the game seemed to hinder both the Cougars and the Knights. Down 18-12, O’Gorman came up with another kill to turn the momentum in Kennedy’s favor.