Lady Warriors focused on title

Wantagh girls volleyball has jumped out of the gates strong this season with a sharp focus on capturing the program’s first county title in four years. 

The Lady Warriors captured their first six matches on the 2015 campaign and dropped only two sets in the process. The winning streak included a 3-1 triumph at defending Class A champion South Side, who defeated Wantagh 3-2 in last year’s county finals and have knocked the Warriors out of the playoffs the last three years. Wantagh entered that finals match with a 13-0 record and led 2-1 before dropping the final two sets. 

“They are dying for a championship and they are determined to get it,” said Wantagh head coach Katie McKeefrey, who led Wantagh to three straight Class A titles from 2009 to 2011. “Our goal is to get to states.”

Leading Wantagh’s championship charge are four captains led by seniors Katie Hagan, Nicole Hilton and Haley Labo along with junior Jillian Graham. McKeefrey said their leadership has helped produce solid chemistry and generated tremendous respect among teammates.

“They have very different personalities so it’s a great mix of captains players can turn to,” said McKeefrey. “The team gets along very well and can take constructive criticism from each other.”

Hilton has shined in the middle blocker position posting 10 kills and eight blocks in Wantagh’s Sept. 24 win at South Side. Graham, as an outside and middle hitter, has also been a force at the net and registered 10 kills in a 3-0 win against neighborhood rival Bellmore-JFK on Sept. 21. 

Junior Carly Sullivan has also keyed Wantagh’s quick start at the setter position. Two younger players who have stepped up to receive time on varsity are sophomores Shannan Hagan and Rachel McCartin. 

“They seemed like they could hang with us,” said McKeefrey of the decision to put Hagan and McCartin on the varsity court. “They have risen to the occasion.” 

McKeefrey is pleased with the start of the season, but knows there are challenging matches upcoming including two with Long Beach starting this Thursday on the road and at Herricks on Oct. 16. The Warriors also have a rematch with South Side at home on Oct. 23 at 4:30 p.m. 

“Energy will be key,” said McKeefrey of what is needed to continue Wantagh’s winning ways. “It’s about minimizing our mistakes.”

Honoring memory of former Warrior
An early September tournament Wantagh hosted was held in memory of Lauren Hecht, who was on the Warriors’ 2009 and 2010 county title teams and died suddenly on Aug. 17 at age 23. The tournament raised money for the Southeast Lauren Hecht Fund, which was established to assist the students of Brentwood Southeast Elementary School where she worked. Hecht was slated to be the junior varsity girls volleyball head coach at Division High School this fall before her unexpected death.

“Lauren was on the first team I coached at Wantagh,” said McKeefrey of her former player. “We wanted to honor her.”