Thursday, October 1, 2026
The winds of change are making their way through Valley Stream South High School.
Following a 7-9 softball season a year ago, the Falcons enter the new campaign with some challenging circumstances. With seven starters from last year’s squad having graduated and many student-athletes turning to other sports, this spring will be about celebrating the seniors and developing young players.
A drastic change from when the program enjoyed a lot of winning.
“We won a few county championships early in my time with the program and we were a perennial playoff team for a long time,” said coach Demetri Adrahtas, who begins his 18th year at the helm following seven years as an assistant coach.
“A lack of little league participation and the rise of lacrosse and flag football have hurt our program.”
Helen Aguilar and Olivia Simone are two of the top players the Falcons will rely on.
Aguiar, a junior and three-year varsity player, was slated to start the season as the starting catcher, but she has been shifted back to center field and middle infield, two positions where she excelled at last year. The emergence of sophomore backstop Melissa Sanchez, called up from JV, allows Adrahtas to make that switch.
Newcomer Olivia Simone is another key player this season as the sophomore will see time at both third base and shortstop this season. Perhaps the Falcons’ most well-rounded player, Simone features a solid glove and a consistent bat.
The Falcons have three seniors.
Brianna Castro is an outstanding utility player who will split time at left field, third base and first base. She had some big hits last year and will be an important bat in the middle of the lineup.
Also in the middle of that lineup is first baseman Jessica Dyer who enters her third year on varsity. She brings a wealth of leadership and experience to the table while also providing some pop.
Caitlyn Schultheiss is a scrappy player who adds a spark to the Falcons playing second base and outfield.
It’s certainly a year of transition for Valley Stream South.
“This year figures to be a challenging one,” said Adrahtas. “We just want to compete, get better every day, give our seniors the best season possible and develop our players, most of whom are very inexperienced.”
After winning multiple games in each of the last two seasons, junior pitcher Isabella Murphy can also chip in playing both corner infield and corner outfield positions.
Freshman Mila Huczko enjoyed some success pitching at the junior high school level over the last two seasons and now makes the jump to high school where she will also serve as a utility player.
The remainder of the Falcons’ starting lineup includes freshman pitcher and utility player Mila Huczko, freshman shortstop, infielder and outfielder Mikaela Rossello, sophomore outfielder Samantha Pellman, and junior outfielders Shavonne Mason, Niani Vives, Emma Brisso and Hema Kemraj.
It’s a season of change for Valley Stream South as it looks to the seniors for leadership and for the younger players to help restore a winning culture.
