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Mostly Cloudy Lady Cyclones in win column
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South Side senior Lianna Dicke reaches to deliver a block during the first set of the team's victory at Plainview.
Claudio Papapietro/Herald
South Side put together its finest effort on the volleyball court so far this fall and came away with a much-needed 25-18, 25-16, 25-19 Conference II victory at Plainview-JFK on Sept. 24.
The Lady Cyclones, who returned just one starter from last year’s Conference ABC-II championship team, got seven service aces and 10 assists from junior Samantha Koukoulas en route to winning for the first time in four matches.
“We looked like a completely different team out there today,” Coach Cheryl Scalice said after the sweep. “Hopefully this gets us going in the right direction. It’s huge for our confidence. It’s not easy to pick yourself up after three losses, but the girls came here pumped up and played well.”
The week didn’t start off too promising. Two days earlier, South Side lost in three sets to Lynbrook and failed to crack 20 points in two of them. “We had a nice discussion at practice the day after the Lynbrook match and I think it gave the girls a greater understanding of the team concept,” Scalice said. “All the girls agree we have strong pieces. We weren’t playing like a unit until now.”
Growing pains are to be expected with five first-year starters. Senior outside hitter Melanie Franco is the Lady Cyclones’ veteran as well as their sparkplug. She’s a four-year varsity performer and an exceptional defender and passer. “Melanie began as a back-row specialist and developed into a strong all-around player over the years,” Scalice said.
The other outside hitter, senior Kayce Robinson, is also a defensive standout and quality passer. Right-side hitter Megan Lonergan, a junior, is becoming more of a weapon by the minute and could lead the team in blocks and kills come season’s end. The 6-foot-2 lefty is a key up front and could also see time in the middle along with sophomore Grace Healy, who has tremendous leaping ability and anticipates well, and senior Lianna Dicke. Healy is one of seven sophomores on the roster. The others are Emily Essig, Gillian Geffen, Jessica Heckman, Kelsey Mesina, Kasey Ng, Chelsea Portenoy and Taylor Schwarting.
Koukoulas and junior Lauren Maietti both start at setter in the 6-2 scheme and run the offense as a tandem, and seniors Gina Quagliata and Taylor Maniscalco have been solid while splitting time at libero.
South Side plays its next four matches on the road before returning home to face Garden City on Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m. That evening the Lady Cyclones and Lady Trojans will join in the fight against cancer through the Side-Out Foundation. The goal of Dig Pink 2009 is to top last year’s donation total of $3,000.
Comments about this story? TBellissimo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000, ext. 204.
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