Thursday, October 1, 2026
Continuing its bounce-back from last season’s anomalous 6-10 finish, the East Meadow girls’ volleyball team drew a line in the sand, and then undersigned it, notching a 3-0 statement win against visiting Nassau Conference AA/B2 foe Hicksville Oct. 6.
In battling to a 26-24, 25-22, 25-23 victory over the Comets, the third-place Jets stopped a three-game skid after winning five straight to start the season, corralling themselves back on course under first-year coach Karen Bonanno, who has sought through an emphasis on mental training to foster a heightened sense of focus in her squad.
“We started off very strong in our season,” said Bonanno, whose club improved to 6-3 in AA/B2 (7-3 overall) with a three-set league win at Island Trees Oct. 8. “Overall we’ve been pretty consistent as a team. . . . I would say that the wins that we’ve had, starting from the beginning of the season, were very much based on a focused intensity and playing with a lot of heart, never quitting.” She added: “We started our season mentally and physically ready to compete. Every win is a fight.”
Key to East Meadow’s attack has been the smooth functioning of its ever-dangerous offensive engine of outside hitter Isabella Pota – an All-County third-year starter who ranks fourth in league with 73 kills – and fellow senior co-captain Lily Finucane, an All-Conference setter whose 124 assists and 38 service aces each rank third in AA/B2. “(Pota and Finucane) have a great chemistry on the court as a result of playing together for years,” said Bonanno, adding: “Lily is a great setter with an excellent serve. She is a hard worker, great communicator, and does a terrific job running our offense.”
Senior outside hitter and Jets co-captain Samantha Cuozzo has been a versatile weapon, posting 49 kills while standing out defensively and leading the team with 78 digs – including a season- and game-high 16 in the Jets’ gritty win over Hicksville. “Sam is a great volleyball player,” who has, “put in the hard work during the offseason to really dominate in her senior year,” said Bonanno.
Jets starters Jeiline Reynoso (senior) and Keziah Philip (junior) have done stout work as middle blockers, while senior setter Vincenza Morgilio – who went stat for stat with Finucane posting matching game highs of eight digs and 15 assists in downing Hicksville – has risen to provide enviable depth for East Meadow. “We have strong seniors and strong players on the bench,” said Bonanno. “Everyone knows they have an important role to play.”
In terms of importance, the Jets will perhaps take on no greater role than as hosts of East Meadow’s Dig Pink event Oct. 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the high school gymnasium. The fundraising affair for the Side-Out Foundation, which raises money for research in metastatic breast cancer, will feature a mixed intersquad exhibition game played by East Meadow’s varsity and JV teams, as well as raffles for prizes. This year’s event will honor the memory of 2002 East Meadow volleyball alumnus Kerri Hubbard Naples. For more information go to https://giving.side-out.org/campaigns/18699.
