By ANDREW McCLURE
After stumbling out of the gate with a record of 2-7, the Rocks rallied to win their last five regular-season matches and then rode that momentum into the playoffs.
After sweeping Malverne in three games to advance to the Nassau Class C finals, East Rockaway, led by setter Nicole Morreale and Chrissy Feil, took care of Oyster Bay to take home the county championship on Nov. 6 at Hofstra. It was the third time this fall the Rocks defeated Oyster Bay.
The season for the Rocks would end with a hard-fought loss to Center Moriches in the Long Island Class C championship match last Saturday at St. Joseph's College in Patchogue. All three games were decided by four points or fewer (21-25, 23-25, 24-26).
East Rockaway coach Gus Baco was pleased with the season his team put together. "Whether winning or losing, the girls always exhibited great sportsmanship on and off the court," Baco said. From day one, we had great chemistry. The girls were very supportive of one another."
The Rocks turned their season around in mid-October when they came from behind to defeat Great Neck North in a grueling five-game match. East Rockaway was down two games to one but rallied to win the last two by scores of 27-25 and 25-21. Sophomore outside hitter Jalisa Barnes had 24 kills, while junior Mary Kate Connors added 11 kills and 22 digs to lead the Rocks. Morreale had 25 assists.
Baco believes the sky is the limit for the athletic Barnes, who earned All-Conference honors. "We need to work on her consistency," Baco said. "But, when she's on her game, she could be the best outside hitter in the entire county." Barnes had 20 kills in a five-game win over Plainedge late in the season.
East Rockaway will lose five players to graduation, none more important than Morreale, who earned All-Conference honors as one of the league's top setters. Morreale, who was the team leader in assists by a wide margin, had 30 helpers in the victory over Plainedge.
If Morreale was the lightning, Feil was the thunder. The junior middle hitter, who received All-County recognition, was a force all season, and led the team in blocks and kills nearly every match. Feil had 16 kills and five aces in leading the Rocks to a sweep of Bethpage during the late-season winning streak. Junior Monica Mielinis also had a solid season.
Baco is optimistic about the future of the program. "We lose the five seniors, but we will return a lot of very talented players," Baco said. "I really can't wait for next season. I think we have the talent to go upstate and compete for a state championship."
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