Chemistry lifts Lawrence's level

Lawrence girls’ volleyball coach Christolia Butler won’t hesitate to name the No. 1 reason the Golden Tornadoes are one win from matching their 2023 total whilst avenging two of the 12 defeats from last season already.

“Our chemistry is better,” Butler said. “We brought back a good amount of kids and a lot of them are playing club volleyball. We came into the season at a better starting point and I’m really happy with the improvement.”

Lawrence won three of its first nine matches against its Conference 5 rivals, including a five-set marathon victory over Valley Stream North and a pair of confidence-building four-set wins over neighboring Hewlett and Malverne.

“I’m really proud of them,” Butler said. “They practice hard and want to be better than the day before. There’s a different atmosphere and I’m excited to see how we can finish up.”

Opening with back-to-back home losses and facing a perennial conference title contender Valley Stream North next was daunting, but the Golden Tornadoes went on the road and pulled out a stunning 15-25, 25-22, 25-20, 15-25, 15-13 win over the Spartans.

“That was a wild match and probably our best win so far,” Butler said.

Senior outside hitter and captain Kristelene Cribbs (5 kills) led the offense along with right-side Gina Pasaquariello (9 assists, 4 aces), and junior libero Arbi Corbita had 10 digs.

Cribbs is a three-year varsity player and returning captain. “She’s a great leader for the program and helps out the younger kids at the middle school with coach [George] Klein,” Butler said of Cribbs, who leads the team in kills and plays every rotation. “She’s our go-to hitter with a powerful swing and is also a strong server and passer.”

Cribbs was also instrumental in the win over Hewlett Sept. 24, picking up 11 kills, 6 digs and 4 aces as Lawrence earned its first home triumph. Primary setter Kennedy Mowatt dished out 19 assists and Corbita led the defensive effort with 14 digs.

Mowatt, a freshman, didn’t begin the season as the starting setter but emerged after a few weeks, Butler said. “She went from middle school to varsity but you wouldn’t know it,” the coach noted. “She’s level-headed and knows how to spread out the offense. It’s exciting to have her running the offense for the next three years after this.”

Eighth-grade outside hitter Jordan Gajadhar also made the jump from middle school to varsity and is a big part of Lawrence’s two-way game. “She makes smart decisions,” Butler said.

In the middle, senior Heather McHale and junior Hailey Brancacclo are key offensive weapons. The coach praised McHale’s tremendous court awareness, and the strong serving of Brancaccio who had four of the team’s 15 aces in the win over Malverne.

Corbita began the season as a hitter but quickly moved to libero, the same position she plays in club. “She takes charge in the back row and is all over the court,” said Butler, who also noted the contributions of senior captain utility player Madelyn Ramos and junior outside hitter Kelley Orellana.