Wantagh digs in for repeat quest

The Wantagh girls’ volleyball team is poised for another deep postseason run thanks to new players growing into larger roles throughout the fall.

After graduating key pieces from last year’s team that captured Wantagh’s first state title since 2001 with a dramatic five-set win against Niagara Wheatfield in the Class A finals, fifth-year coach Dan O’Shea looked for new leaders to spearhead the Warriors’ championship drive.  While the transition took time, a largely senior-laden Wantagh team began to hit its drive in October to earn the top seed for the Nassau County Class A playoffs with a 12-2 record in Conference A-1.

“It’s been a big learning curve from a lot of girls who were there last year but who didn’t play,” O’Shea said. “It’s taken a lot of adjusting.”

Outside hitters Emily Van O’Linda and Tori Spencer have stepped into increased leadership roles throughout the season. The duo sparked a come-from-behind five-set win against Lynbrook on Oct. 25 with Spencer and Van O’Linda recording 23 and 21 kills, respectively.

Senior libero Sabrina Locascio was also an integral part of leading an eight-match winning streak that spanned nearly the entire month of October as a force in the backcourt.  The defensive standout recorded 25 digs in the dramatic Lynbrook victory by set scores of 25-11, 17-25, 20-25, 29-27 and 25-20.

“As the girls have learned their roles they have stepped up,” O’Shea said. “It has taken time.”

Senior setter Debbie Boudouris has also taken major leaps since the season began and led Nassau County assists during the regular season. She recorded 52 assists and 17 digs in the comeback win against Lynbrook that avenged a five-set loss to the Lady Owls on Sept. 26.

O’Shea has also been pleased with the progression of middle blocker Claudia Corbett and outside hitter Shannon Sullivan, who are both 5-10.  The two helped key a five-set win against Mineola on Oct. 4 with Sullivan recording 15 kills and Corbett registering two blocks.

Wantagh’s unbeaten run in October was snapped with a 3-1 loss to South Side on Oct. 29. The Warriors rebounded with a three-set sweep of Garden City the next day to regain momentum heading into the playoffs.

Wantagh is looking to reclaim last year’s postseason magic when the Warrior won the program’s first county title since 2015 with a dramatic five-set win against Lynbrook before rallying from two sets down to edge Kings Park to capture the Long Island Class A championship. The championship journey culminated at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls with marathon five-set win versus Niagara Wheatfield in the state finals.

The Warriors began their quest for a championship repeat on Monday against 16th-seeded Jericho after press time and are slated to face the winner of the Hewlett-Carey first round matchup Wednesday. The semifinals are scheduled for Monday at Carle Place High School with the finals on Nov. 14 at LIU-Post.

“There are four or five teams in Class A who on any given night can win,” O’Shea said. “It’s a very tough conference.”