Storybook start for North Shore
It’s been a storybook start for the North Shore girls’ volleyball team.
Its new coach, Dani Bleiweiss, a 2018 North Shore graduate, has come in to lead the Vikings to a stunning 7-0 start.
Bleiweiss, who works as a marketing rep in Manhattan, replaced longtime coach Tracey Iacovelli, who had ruled the program for 23 years with 200-plus career wins.
Bleiweiss had been the assistant for the last two seasons, but this was her first crack at a high school head-coaching job. She has been a travel volleyball coach, too.
“It’s been great,’’ she said. “Six days a week is better than travel. You get so much time to teach the girls and connect with them and help them come their best self on court and off the court. It’s been a real good energy this season from all the girls. I’m really excited to give them everything I know so they can be the best they can be.’’
North Shore went 8-10 last season and suffered heavy losses to graduation, including top 50 Long Island player, Ava Difeo, and All-County Lindsay Fales. So the unbeaten start has been the biggest surprise in Nassau County.
Bleiweiss played at Cortland State, sharing the same alma-mater as Iacovelli. She’s being allowed to work shorter hours by her marketing firm to guide the Vikings as coach. She still lives in Glen Head.
“It was truly a pleasure working with Tracey the past two years and I hope to do even an ounce of what she has done for the North Shore program in all her years coaching,’’ Bleiweiss said. “I’m excited for what is to come.’’
Senior outside hitter Caroline Ledden and freshman Devyn Mandell have been the top weapons but the biggest lift comes at libero, where senior Anneliese Broccolo returned after missing last season because of brain surgery.
More than a year ago, Broccolo had surgery for a rare ailment, Brain Chiari Malformation, and was reduced to being the team manager as she recovered. Now Broccolo platoons at libero with returning All-County Honorable mention Nora Solomon.
Broccolo’s inspiring journey has been an immeasurable asset but she sees the whole unit as perfectly in sync. “From the beginning of the season and tryouts, the team clicked right away,’’ Broccolo said. “All of our teammates are from different grades but we all have great teammate connection. That helps on the court and keeps our energy up. If we’re falling behind a bit, we can get the energy up.”
Broccolo is one of five seniors but the play of a freshman, Mandell, has been eye opening. She started last year as a middle blocker.
Mandell, who is top ten in blocks in Nassau County with 15, may have saved North Shore from defeat in a game against Valley Stream North on Sept. 21.
North Shore was down 15-3 in the first set when she became to serve and reeled off a big streak of points. North Shore won the first set and the match.
