Revamped Hewlett continues to thrive

Success can be relative.
You don’t have to win a championship or qualify for the playoffs to enjoy a season.
Case in point: Hewlett girls’ volleyball.
After losing five seniors from an 8-7 team, coach Cristian Velasco admitted that he didn’t know what to expect of his squad.
He has been pleasantly surprised.

Hewlett is assured of finishing the season with at least at.500 at 8-8 or perhaps 9-7, depending on how it fares in its finale encounter versus Glen Cove.
“I didn’t really have any expectations because we lost five seniors from last year,” Velasco said. “But it’s going as good as it could have been. I definitely do consider it a success, results wise.”
There has been room for improvement.
“It’s them learning to take responsibility for the loss and understanding that we just didn’t finish the job,” Velasco said. “Understanding what the kind of culture I’m trying to build here – It’s only my second season with Hewlett - it’s really good and positive.”
The Bulldogs started at 4-2 in what Velasco said was the weaker part of the schedule, but the team started to struggle.
“It’s tough when you don’t have club athletes or people that play club [volleyball],” Velasco said. “So, experiencing those bounce backs doesn’t come as often for them. We faced an uphill battle. It was frustrating. The girls had to learn how to really adapt and evolve.”
Last Saturday, Hewlett ended a three-game losing streak, defeating Evergreen Charter, 25-8, 25-6, 25-7.
“Getting the win was great for morale,” Velasco added. “They knew what needed to be done, which was good to see. It was definitely a positive impact for the frustrations.”
Five players have been key to Hewlett’s success - junior middle blocker Noelle Nelson (44 kills, 12 blocks, 10 digs, 87 aces), senior outside hitter Daniella Nickerson Zorilla (80 kills, 81 digs, 31 aces), senior setter Kate Epstein (5 kills, 80 assists, 10 digs, 16 aces), senior setter Melanie Shvartsberg (10 kills, 151 assists, 29 digs an 19 aces), and eighth grader right setter Jenna Shvartssteyn (52 kills, 8 assists, 7 digs).
“Noelle has been the most consistent server,” Velasco said. “She has been our savior. There’s been so many games that Noelle has gotten us the win, finishing the job. Melanie Shvartsberg and Kate Epstein work really hard.”
Shvartssteyn is a player for the future.
“Having an eighth grader on the team, fingers crossed, I’m staying with them,” Velasco said. “We could have an impactful season the next couple of years, which I’m looking forward to.”
Velasco also praised junior outside hitter Ariana Ciampone, who was sidelined after suffering a ulnar collateral ligament injury earlier this year.
“Her impact on the team is like the unsung hero,” he said. “She has been so dedicated and has been an extra set of ears next to my eyes. She’s almost like an assistant coach and has been learning about the game more, where her input, even though she’s not able to play, has been pretty key for some really tense moments.”