Wantagh primed for playoff run

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A close-knit Wantagh girls’ volleyball team formed even closer bonds with a Midwest journey that they hope will spark a championship run.

The Lady Warriors traveled to Minnesota last weekend for an eight-team tournament that provided a chance to form improved cohesion on and off the court. Fourth-year head coach Dan O’Shea said the trip, which included attending a Big Ten women’s volleyball match between third-ranked Minnesota and seventh-ranked Illinois, provided an opportunity for the team to connect prior to a key stretch of games.

Wantagh (10-1) entered the week one game back of unbeaten South Side for first place in Conference A1 with three matches left. “We’re hoping that this trip helps trip helps the girls in terms of bonding,” said O’Shea. “That is our goal.”

The unique in-season trip was organized in large part by senior tri-captains Kayla Rende, Julia Pugliese and Jill Laino. The trio has been instrumental throughout the year keeping the 16-member team as a tight unit.

“They have made sure that all 16 girls are one,” said O’Shea of his captains. “This is probably the closest team I have ever had.”

On the eve of departing toward the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Pugliese, a middle blocker, drove Wantagh to a come-from-behind 3-1 win at Manhasset with 10 kills. Senior middle blocker Kaitlyn Steele also stepped up big with nine kills to assure Wantagh headed into its trip on a winning note. Set scores were 22-25, 25-15, 25-23 and 23-18.

Outside hitters Grace Riddle and Victoria Spencer have also keyed Wantagh’s hot start to the season with both recording 17 kills in a 3-2 home win against Mineola on Oct. 5. Laino has been a force at guarding the court registering 12 digs in a sweep of Floral Park on Sept. 29. Sophomore Emily Van O’Linda moved from libero to right side hitter

“We’re deep and we have a number of capable hitters,” O’Shea said. “We don’t just rely on one or two girls.”

Wantagh is next in action at home this Thursday, Oct. 18 against South Side in a match that could decide who wins Conference A1 and receives the top seed for the upcoming Class A playoffs. South Side handed the Lady Warriors their only loss of 2017 with 3-1 win on Sept. 25 by set scores of 24-26, 22-25, 25-17 and 19-25. The two South Shore rivals have combined to capture seven out of the last nine Nassau County Class A championships.

The South Side match is followed up the next day with a home tilt versus Plainedge Friday at 4:30 p.m. before closing the regular season on Wednesday at Floral Park. No matter what seed Wantagh ends up with, O’Shea wants his team playing in peak form heading into the postseason where they will seek the program’s first county title since 2015.

“We like where we are sitting now and it’s a matter of how we finish,” he said. “The girls have to believe in themselves.”