Calhoun makes big strides

Kevin Quiambao’s first priority when he took over as girls’ volleyball coach at Calhoun was not to teach a lethal serve or a flawless set, but to change the team’s attitude. Winners of just one game last season, and having endured repeated coaching changes in recent years, the Lady Colts seemed to have begun to accept losing as a matter of course. 

“That mentality is no longer the mindset of Calhoun volleyball,” said Quiambao, who took over this season after six years at Molloy College.

And it shows. After narrowly losing in five sets to then undefeated Lynbrook on Oct. 19, a rematch of an earlier loss, the Lady Colts were annoyed to find that Lynbrook’s perfect season was ruined a couple of days later — by Hewlett. “That should have been us,” was the most common reaction Quiambao got from his players.  So they went back to work, intent on improving upon their 8-4 record with upcoming meetings with Great Neck South and Hewlett.

The Lady Colts lost their first match of the season, three sets to one, to New Hyde Park, but there were early indications that things would be different this time around. Quiambao knew he had a solid core of seniors to rely on in captains Kelly Gallo, Jessica Ruggiero and Samantha Baldauf, as well as Jaime Beghorn, Kelly Bogart, Danielle Losee and Kristi Tice. He also knew he had some up-and-comers in juniors Alexa Weinblatt, Sarah Mitchell, Lindsay Melito, Gianna Saladino and Melanie Krug, and sophomores Valerie Monson and Lauren Strezenec, who had been playing on the varsity team since eighth grade. The Lady Colts played well against New Hyde Park, losing by counts of 25-23, 27-25 and 27-25, but didn’t yet know how to win.

Quiambao adjusted his philosophy, moving away from specific strategies in favor of a more player-centered approach, and kept at building his team’s confidence. Two days later, they beat Division, 25-4, 25-14 and 25-19. Weinblatt led the way with six kills, four aces and three digs, and just like that Calhoun had matched its win total from the previous season. Suddenly the young Lady Colts had every reason to show a little confidence.

From there, they beat Valley Stream South 25-14, 25-18 and 25-10 and then Plainedge 28-26, 26-24 and 25-14. Weiblatt and Krug led the way against Valley Stream South, and Ruggiero had 10 kills, four blocks and three aces against Plainedge. Lynbrook was too much to handle on Sept. 20, winning three straight, but then the Lady Colts beat Great Neck North and Hewlett. A 3-0 loss to Division on Oct. 5 shows the Lady Colts still have a ways to go, but with the playoffs fast approaching, they no longer have any doubts about their ability to win.