By TONY BELLISSIMO
But there¹s no debating the fact the fast-starting Lady Jets are playing like contenders. After sweeping Hicksville last Thursday, 25-16, 25-17, 25-22, they were 4-2 in Conference I. If opponents have yet to take notice of a team that finished 12-5 in 2006, it¹s about time they do.
³We played the best teams in the county last year and did well,² coach Patricia Burnside said. ³The girls got a taste of winning and gained a lot of experience and confidence. We have a good mix of seniors and juniors, and I like our chances of going deep in the playoffs.²
The Lady Jets brought back two starters: senior outside hitter Jamie Wilen and senior setter Emily Syers. Though Wilen¹s only 5-foot-5, she plays a lot bigger. Last month she was named MVP of the Herricks Tournament won by East Meadow, and she averaged eight kills and 12 digs through the first six conference matches.
³Jamie has always spent a lot of time working on her game,² Burnside said. ³She¹s an aggressive hitter with great leaping ability.²
Wilen, who last season earned the coach¹s award, has a goal in mind. ³It would be great if we can make it all the way to the finals,² she said.
Syers is a returning All-Conference player and the one most responsible for the offensive chemistry. She had 12 assists against Hicksville and 15 helpers in an impressive three-game sweep over Long Beach on Sept. 24. ³Emily¹s a consistent passer, and she also has a terrific serve,² Burnside said.
Sophomore Hillary Hoffman is coming along nicely as the opposite setter in the 6-2 system, and junior Diana Briody delivers smashes opposite Wilen. The Lady Jets are strong in the middle with junior Alexa Borresen and seniors Nicole Zuccarello and Katyln Carlin. Borresen is averaging seven kills and five blocks per match.
Junior Alissa Angelino is the starting libero, a position that requires anticipation and strong serve-receive skills. Juniors Angela Ruffini and Margherita Posillico provide a defensive spark when called upon.
³I¹m confident we¹ll continue to play well,² Burnside said.
East Meadow begins the second half of its schedule on Friday when Oceanside visits at 4 p.m. The Lady Jets dominated the first meeting, winning in three games.
Comments about this story? tbellissimo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 204.
