Clarke makes late playoff push

Clarke started off the Conference IV boys’ volleyball season with an 0-4 mark, as the team struggled get into a groove with several new players added to the roster.

But the Rams (7-7 overall, 5-7 Conference IV) have since hit their stride, winning five of the last eight conference battles, including a sweep of all three sets (25-17, 25-19, 25-16) against Plainedge last Monday. With a little luck and sweep of their final matches with Great Neck North and Carey, Clarke still had a chance to make the Nassau Class B playoffs. “The guys are upbeat and excited,” coach Joe Harclerode said. “They’re here to rise to the occasion.”

Senior setter Justin Shanahan continued his strong play against the Hawks, registering 31 assists, while senior outside hitter Joe Diglio posted eight kills. Shanahan makes the setting look easy, effortlessly tracking down balls. “He gets to every ball,” Harclerode said of the team captain and leader on and off the court. “His hustle is amazing. He gets to balls that other setters don’t get to, and he can hit.”

It took some time for Shanahan to jell with first-year middle hitter, senior Elias Alexandropoulos, but the two are now playing like long-time teammates. Alexandropoulos is a perfect fit at the net at 6-foot-3 and has made good use of his height and athleticism. He’s averaging three blocks per set and helped blast the Rams past then-first place Valley Stream South in four sets (17-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-23) on April 27, with 10 kills and 10 blocks. He’s joined in the middle by senior George Nasta, while Diglio helps control one of the outside slots, with healthy averages of 12 kills and three blocks. Opposite Diglio has been senior Jimmy Gibbons, and seniors Peter Evangelatos and Seth Kaufman have also logged time on the outside.

“[Joe] Diglio is a clutch guy at outside hitter,” Harclerode said, also noting his energy. “He can also play the back row, and in any lull that we have, the guys look to him.”

Junior Mark Correia has performed well as the libeiro, and junior Richard Han’s play in the back row, specifically his passing skills, has also been a boost to Clarke. The two also top the team’s charts in digs, both averaging nearly 20 per match. “We have nine guys when we usually carry 10 or 12 and everyone’s contributing,” Harclerode said.