Thursday, October 1, 2026
The emblematic performer for the North Shore girls’ volleyball team is 5-foot returning senior captain, Abi Maler, an All-County selection in 2021.
North Shore isn’t necessarily the tallest squad. But the Vikings got instincts and skill and are riding a four-match winning streak after a slow start marred by injuries. They’ve vaulted to a 6-5 clip.
Maler is the team’s “libero” – wearing the white jersey. As such, she plays as the back-row defender standing out with quickness and in her different-colored top.
Fast and gritty, Maler is the Viking’s heart and soul, keeping balls – and the season - alive.
“She picks up the vast majority of the spikes being shot at us by the other team,’’ said coach Tracy Iacovelli, who has been with the program off and on since 1993. “She’s got range. She’s able to predict where the hitters from the other side are going - down the line or crosscourt.’’
While she may not have the height for college volleyball, Maler has keyed North Shore’s success.
Currently four of Iacovelli’s players are being recruited to compete in college – senior creator Laini Silverstein and three tall juniors in middle blockers Ava DiFeo and Josie Crocco and 5-10 Lindsay Fales.
This season’s team is on a similar path to last season’s squad that finished 4-6 in league play. The 2021 team had a slow start with injuries and illnesses before getting it together to punch their way into the second round of the playoffs.
“We’re doing the same thing this year as we did last year - we’re picking up steam,’’ Iacovelli said.
Indeed, North Shore avenged an early-season loss to Hicksville with a 3-0 sweep in the rematch held last week. Previously, the Vikings posted wins over West Hempstead twice and East Meadow.
DiFeo is considered according other coach, among the top middle blockers in Nassau County.
Fales hits form the right side, which in high school volleyball is uncommon. Most squads don’t dominate from the right side unless it possesses a lefty.
“It’s a real weapon,’’ Iacovelli said. “Other teams don’t run it and don’t learn to defend it either, having a right- handed player on the right side. She puts the ball down for sure.’’
The other captain is senior hitter Natalie Gaeta. “She’s not a tall player by any means,’’ Iacovelli said. “This might be the shortest group of captains I’ve ever had, but she plays a real smart offensive game. She’s able to hit the ball to the holes in the other team’s defense.”
Silverstein, who runs the offense as quasi-quarterback, has already committed to play for Utica University.
“The strength of our team is balance in our offense and depth,’’ Iacovelli added. “Laini, because of her setting ability, she’s able to get the ball to any hitter she wants. We can really mix it up. Like playing football with three receivers running different formations, we have a really versatile offense.’’
North Shore has two other senior contributors in Tara Hynes and Tikdem Heffernan, who is more a utility player inserted when the club needs more height.
North Shore volleyball has a winning tradition but brought back this fall another tradition that fell by the wayside during the pandemic. The maroon hosted “Dig Pink” - a tournament that raised $3,500 for Side Out Foundation and breast-cancer awareness.
