Thursday, October 1, 2026
Riding on a two-match winning streak, defeating Westbury and Valley Stream Central, the Uniondale Knights girls’ volleyball team has an optimistic view of the season according to coach Dan Splendore. Every single player saw court time in the 3-0 win over VSC on Sept. 15.
Splendore credits the mini streak to two things: the team is coordinated well amongst themselves, and the fact that the Knights were able to capitalize on opponents mistakes.
“The little stuff, our passing was on point, communication was better, serving was better, all of the stuff that was needed was there,” Splendore said. “My girls did a really good job of sticking to the game plan and keeping balls in play and communicating well, it was a win that we desperately needed.”
The wins came as a stark contrast to their 0-3 start, losses to Freeport, Hicksville and Baldwin, but Splendore looks to one specific point as pivotal in the season thus far.
“We actually stole a set from [Baldwin], I think it was the best we played, and I think from that point on, we’ve been playing well,” he explained. “I really think the Baldwin game was the turning point where we had high expectations and we weren’t meeting them as a group. Even though it ended in a loss, I told them I’m not about moral victories but this was a moral victory where the kids really figured out but they can do.”
There’s also another crucial point that Splendore underlined: in the win over Westbury, sophomore middle hitter Kelsey Green went through personal growth in real time on the court.
“[Green] was getting a little intimidated by a strong player on Westbury, we called a timeout and I asked how she was doing specifically because you could see that she was just down on herself,” Splendore explained. “The whole team rallied around her, and she singlehandedly helped us beat Westbury. She was up there on the net, timely blocks, timely serves, aces, a couple of kills, and that helped them get going when they were struggling.”
Senior captain Zahara Saintyl was nominated for the list of top 100 players in Nassau County, also a first in his coaching tenure. She was instrumental in the wins over Westbury and VSC.
Libero Cindy Blanco, who’s been a three-year starter, who Splendore characterized as the defensive backbone. Another gifted back row player he mentioned was senior Liz Melgar; the two in tandem have been holding down defense to let the setters and hitters get to work by the net.
Melgar and her teammate Amaya Grier organize the chants to lift up spirits, acting as the voice of the team, at least when competing.
Beyond that, the Knights are energetic as ever, something that continually gives Splendore hope.
“They’re doing everything right now, we had 5 games in two and a half weeks and now we have a lot down time where we can hone in on the little stuff like footwork and they all show up ready to go and they want to learn,” he explained. “They don’t want us to cancel practice, they don’t want us to end early, they love the sport so much so it’s really not a lack of desire or effort, it’s just a lack of experience."
