VSC nets 13 wins, playoff berth

Valley Stream Central’s girls’ volleyball team wrapped up its 2023 season with a three set sweep of Sewanhaka (25-18, 25-17, 25-20) on Monday evening.
The Eagles capped a strong regular season by winning nine out of their final 10 matches and finished with a record of 13-3. They clinched a playoff berth for the first time in 10 years.
“It’s really exciting,” coach Joanna Katz said. “It’s so nice to see a group who are all so different come together every day and play volleyball. They’re pretty much a coach’s dream, everyone has bought in and I’ve never had a problem with attendance They all love each other and it really makes my job so much easier.”
Valley Stream Central is led by outside hitters Rhianna Miller and Kennedy Carreras. Miller leads the team with 134 kills while Carreras is right behind with 129. Both of those totals are good for top 20 in all of Nassau County.
“They play every set of every game,” Katz said. “Kennedy is so consistent and can put the ball wherever she wants while Rhianna has some ridiculous hang time and a cannon of an arm.”

Starting libero Sophia Marinez has been a key defender all season long. She came onto varsity as a defensive specialist last season but has really shined in her new role in ‘23.
“[Marinez] has become a real game changer for us,” Katz said. “She’s really embraced her new position and gets every ball she can get to while serving consistently.”
From the service line, Miller and Leah Massiah have been very impactful. Both sit in the top 20 of Nassau County in service aces with Miller at third.
Kasie Monfort plays in front as the team’s primary setter and leads the Eagles with 220 assists.
“Running a five-one, which is one setter in front with five people around her, means you need a really good setter and [Kasie] has wonderful hands which really benefits us,” Katz said.
Madeline Yeh and Jahnelle Miller lead the way defensively in front of the net, with both being in the top 25 for Nassau County in blocks.
Setter Aliana DeLaRosa has been a key piece all year long who can send the ball from the back row. “[DeLaRosa] isn’t the tallest player on the court, but she’s got a wicked serve. She’s five-two and just crushes the ball,” Katz said.
This Friday, Valley Stream Central will travel to take on Great Neck South in the first round of the playoffs. Great Neck South got the best of the Eagles when they played over a month ago, but the Eagles were missing two starters in that match.
“Playing a team for the second time this year, we kind of know what to expect,” Katz said. “That’s an opportunity a lot of teams don’t get in the playoffs, so I think we’re just going to try to use those that as an advantage.”