By Jennifer Marino
The team finished its season 14-0, defeating Lynbrook on Monday, Oct. 28 in three games in the last match of the regular season. The first playoff match, if the team doesn't get a bye, will be at South Side on Thursday, Oct. 31. There will be a home playoff match on Saturday, Nov. 2.
It's very exciting, said co-captain Christine Burke, adding that the team is now focused on the playoffs.
In their last home match of the season, Burke and the other four graduating seniors were honored with bouquets of flowers. That match was against Hewlett, whom they beat in three games, 25-17, 25-10, 25-16. During the match, one of South Side's slams was so fast that a Hewlett player somersaulted in an attempt to hit it.
The team has lived up to the South Side volleyball legacy, which includes 17 Nassau County championships since 1982 and a State championship in 1993.
Many of the girls have played on club volleyball teams since seventh grade and seniors like Burke and Amanda Bodkin hope to continue playing in college. Bodkin and co-captain, Kim Schumer, have been on the varsity team since freshman year.
Coach Cheryl Scalice calls the team, one of the best she has coached in her 12 years of experience. She considers co-captains Burke and Schumer, the heart and soul of the desire behind the team.
Their attitude leads by example, Scalice said.
Bodkin and Burke both quote their coach's reference to the team as 14 deep, meaning each teammate is important and plays well. There is no one star. Burke said that in volleyball the team has to depend upon one another and work together. Their motto is dedication, determination, domination.
Team unity is another reason for their achievement according to Bodkin. We all get along really, really well.
Now this extraordinary, exceptional team, according to Scalice, looks ahead to the championships and enjoys the moment. It's really nice because we've all been pushing so hard, said Burke.
