Hewlett boys volleyball coach Monique Ciccarelli shuffled her lineup, moved players into unfamiliar positions and trusted them to figure it out. Six matches later, the Bulldogs are 6-0 so far.
Thanks to a new 6-2 formation, Ciccarelli has moved several players into new roles. One setter moved from outside hitter after a knee injury prevented him from jumping, while another setter is playing middle and an outside hitter has moved to right side.
“Everyone’s moved around and they’re just taking it on and going with it and working hard every day and succeeding,” she said.
The changes have helped Hewlett win 18 of its first 22 sets, including sweeps of Valley Stream North on Sept. 29 and Valley Stream South two days later. The team also defeated Great Neck North and Floral Park 3-1 and needed five sets against Great Neck North on Sept. 15.
Ciccarelli said the offense has become less dependent on one player.
“I’m giving the ball to everyone instead of just one hitter, so spreading the ball out running through our middles serving aggressively in the court instead of serving the ball out. And just working together and playing together,” she said.
Senior captain Ethan Harush has been the team’s leading offensive force, totaling 117 kills through six matches while adding 56 digs. Ciccarelli said Harush brings leadership and confidence to the court alongside fellow captain Ethan October.
Senior Roie Zohar has added 83 kills and 44 digs, while Ciccarelli said his defense has been especially strong.
“He’s playing excellent defense,” she said. “Sometimes he’s a little erratic with his swings, but excellent, excellent defense. He’s playing smarter as the season goes on so that helps a lot.”
The lineup’s depth has also included junior Evan Cmaylo, who has 40 kills and 11 blocks; and seniors Mark Nosov, who has 32 kills and 16 blocks; and Myles King, who has 16 kills, 17 blocks, 25 digs and six aces.
Ciccarelli said Mark Nosov moved from setter to middle, while King has remained at middle. King’s serving and defense have been particularly valuable, she said.
Sophomore David Hanono, who started playing volleyball this year after coming from soccer, has 10 kills, 12 blocks and 17 digs. Junior Michael Izhakov has contributed as a versatile player, while Alex Nosov, Mark’s twin brother, has 23 kills and has moved between outside and right side.
The group has also benefited from Ciccarelli’s confidence in six outside hitters who can play either side effectively.
At setter, senior Roey Ohayon has 145 assists and 13 aces, while October has 97 assists and eight aces after moving from outside hitter to setter during the summer.
“Roey is more of a seasoned setter, so he knows how to run the offense,” Ciccarelli said.
Junior Ethan Izhakov, the libero, has 106 digs. Sophomore Kyle Troyakov has five aces and provides a floating serve that Ciccarelli said can disrupt opponents.
Hewlett will face each opponent again, and Ciccarelli said the team knows the challenge will increase as opponents try to end its unbeaten start.
“I always think everyone wants to win so everyone wants to knock you off the top,” she said.
