Lady Sailors on the upswing

Having been a part of Oceanside’s last conference championship girls’ volleyball team, Amy Muchnick is looking to restore the luster to the program as its varsity coach.

“The team has come a long way in two years,” said Muchnick, who took over the helm last fall and guided the Lady Sailors to a .500 finish. “The girls worked hard the entire offseason,” she added. “We graduated eight players, but the girls meshed quickly and really have surpassed my expectations.”

Oceanside took an 8-5 mark into the Conference AA-II regular-season finale against Valley Stream Central. The last time the two teams met, on Sept. 28 at Central, the Lady Sailors pulled out a five-set marathon 25-22, 21-25, 25-16, 24-26, 25-21. “It was an amazing match at their place,” Muchnick said. “They’re always tough competition. It’s important for us to close with a win. Everyone wants it for our seniors. They have such passion and heart, and it’ll be the last time they’re on the court together.”

The Lady Sailors were led this fall by their five seniors, including captains Veronica Miller, Molly Mirsky and Kaitlyn McHale. “They’re great leaders,” Muchnick said.

Miller, the lone returning starter from 2012, plays anywhere on the court and excels both offensively and defensively, Muchnick said. “She’s a diverse and smart player, and someone we can always depend on,” Muchnick said of the middle/outside hitter. “She’s extremely consistent.”

Muchnick’s offensive system revolves around two setters, Mirsky and fellow senior Paige Seitz. Mirsky serves as one of them, and is also a key voice on the court. “Molly’s placement on her passes is very good,” Muchnick said. “She’s got soft hands, and the way she communicates is a big thing for us.” Seitz, who features a powerful serve that’s difficult for opponents to return, is another quality setter who’s constantly hustling, Muchnick said.

The coach said senior Morgan McGuinness raised her game to another level from last season and earned a starting role as a middle hitter/blocker. She’s helped lead Oceanside’s defense in the front row and is consistent from the service line as well. “Morgan worked as hard as anyone and really improved,” Muchnick said.

Rebecca Klein, the team’s tallest player and one of six juniors on the roster, is also a factor in the middle. On the outside, junior twin sisters Colleen Kelly and Erin Kelly are passionate and talented. Colleen is one of the team’s hardest hitters, while Erin is a lot like Miller in that she can contribute from anywhere on the court.

Oceanside swept season series’ against Malverne, Hempstead, and Uniondale, and split two matches with Freeport. Two of its losses came to Carle Place, and the other two were at the hands of conference champion East Meadow, the lone playoff representative for AA-II. The Lady Sailors took a set from the Lady Jets on Oct. 15.