Pieces in place for South Side

After pushing Wantagh to the brink in last year’s Nassau Class A girls’ volleyball title match, South Side is expected to challenge the three-time reigning county champs as well as others for the 2012 crown.

“We could be as strong as anyone,” coach Cheryl Scalice said after the Lady Cyclones suffered their first loss of the season in four sets at Bellmore-JFK on Sept. 27. “The run we had last year and the way it ended is definitely motivation,” she added. “The girls set their goals high and are working hard every day to make it happen.”

South Side was shorthanded at Kennedy, but hung tough despite missing two starters. The Lady Cougars took the opening set, 25-22, squeezed out the second, 25-23, and closed it out in the fourth, 25-19, after the Lady Cyclones ran away with the third.

“All in all, it went ok,” said Scalice, who said senior setter Emma Paris will miss up to two weeks and junior hitter Kayla Principato is day-to-day due to injury. “The girls came to battle and the scores were really close,” she added.

The loss was a first of the year for South Side, which closed the opening month with a 5-1 record against Conference A-I foes and with tournament victories at Herricks, Mineola and Baldwin. “We’ve been playing well right off the bat, but the girls aren’t overconfident,” Scalice said. “They know there’s a lot more they can and need to do, and they’re not taking anything for granted.”

Sophomores Sydney Gabriel and Jackie Arcoleo are filling in for Paris, an All-County performer, until the offensive quarterback returns. “They’ve got athletic ability and they’re coming along,” Scalice said of the first-year varsity performers. Paris had a career-high 30 assists in a four-set victory over Long Beach on Sept. 21 and was instrumental in a two-set win over the Lady Marines in the finals of the Baldwin Tournament the following day. “Emma makes us go,” Scalice said. “She’s a big leader on the court and was off to a great start.”

Principato, who brought her game to another level during last year’s playoff run, picked up where she left off and ranks second on the team in kills behind senior standout Allison Glass. “Kayla’s a strong lefty who gives us another dimension,” Scalice said.

Glass, an All-State outside hitter, is a relentless force averaging close to 15 kills per match. She’s planning to play at the next level and in the process of making a college choice, Scalice said. “She’s probably the best all-around player in Class A,” Scalice said. “She’s intimidating and very difficult to stop.”

Sophomore Maya Shabbir is starting opposite Glass and providing consistent hitting, blocking and serving. Shabbir had eight aces and five kills to lead a win over Hewlett.

Senior libero Deanna Mostowfi, an All-County selection, sets the team’s defensive tone with an aggressive style. Senior middle Bridget Kiernan is a strong blocker at the net, and senior Allison Leonard has embraced an increased role.