V.S. North in heated playoff chase

Valley Steam North’s girls’ volleyball team made the playoffs last year after a .500 season but bowed out early. 

Coach Mary Parisi wonders what could have been in 2023 if lefty outside hitter Alexandra Mateo had fully recovered from her torn ACL. Mateo, a 5-foot-11 junior, is back now and driving VSN to a 4-3 start.

 However, the Spartans lost a key match last Saturday to conference leader Floral Park in a four-setter despite Mateo banging out 7 kills, 3 blocks and registering 3 aces.

Mateo has been splendid in 2024, keeping Valley Stream North in the playoff race. 

“She would’ve been a big asset last year,’’ Parisi said. “It threw things off. We were counting on her to come back but she wasn’t healthy enough for it. It would’ve been a huge difference with her.’’ 

In December, 2022, playing for her club volleyball team, Mateo damaged her ACL. She still had visions of playing the 2023 season but it didn’t pan out. She practiced with the team, appeared in two games, but just didn’t feel herself. 

“I just didn’t think I was ready,’’ Mateo said. “I was (8) months into rehabbing. I wasn’t confident in my legs yet.’’

On Sept. 24, Mateo may have had her best performance. in a five-set win over Cold Spring Harbor when she notched 8 kills. Not only does Mateo feel 100 percent, she thinks she’s now better than before surgery. 

Mateo still is wearing a brace to feel more comfortable.  “I feel I’m better, stronger,’’ Mateo said. “I have been landing on one leg, the one I tore, and it doesn’t hurt at all. I think about it when I play.’’

Mateo is one of three captains, along with junior libero Tiffany Melendez and outside hitter Ericka Leus. They are the heart of the squad.

Last season, Valley Stream North lost its four key senior stars, including libero Alyanna Nadal, a Nassau County Top 50 volleyball selection. Melendez had big shoes to fill and she’s done it. Parisi said Melendez played a defensive specialist role last year, but has made the switch.

“It’s an adjustment year in all those key positions,’’ Parisi said. “But (Melendez) has really taken charge in the back. She wasn’t a libero last year. She’s directing traffic, stepping into that role. It took an adjustment in the beginning. Now she’s in a good groove.’’

Along with Leus, a new force has emerged as outside hitter in Adriana Rienzie, a freshman. Rienie played only a trifle last season as an eighth-grader. She also had 8 kills against Cold Spring Harbor. 

“It’s a surprise asset to have her,’’ Parisi said. 

Another big contributor is middle blocker Esther Onyeike, who had six blocks against Cold Spring Harbor. 

In her eighth season, Parisi has led the Spartans into a prominent program, winning back-to-back conference titles in 2021 and 2022 after an unbeaten 2018 campaign. Mateo will be back next season so this fall may just be the start. 

“Just to get back to the level I’m at, I’m happy now and how the team is doing,’’ Mateo said. “We’re doing really good. We have a lot of new talent because we lost a lot of seniors. Though we have had adversity,  we have come together and become a family.’’