Freeport makes giant strides

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The Freeport boys’ volleyball team made big gains this fall led by the pioneers of the young program.

A 3-0 home win against Mepham on Monday capped an 8-8 season for the Red Devils, who won just one match last year in their second season as a varsity team. The improved performance was driven by a 12-member senior class that includes five who started off the program at the JV level as freshmen in 2021.

“It’s been a special year,” Freeport coach Gaetano Antonacci said. “They won one game last year so for them to have their work pay off is nice to see.”

The five seniors who helped grow the program with Antonacci include Johncarlo Rivera (middle blocker), Justin Salce (libero), Melvin Velasquez (outside hitter), Romeo Jean and Daniel Cruz (right side hitter). Antonacci credits the group with sticking through tough times when wins were hard to come by.

“They've really given me that commitment for four years,” Antonacci said. “They trusted me and they took it from there and ran with it.”

The sweep against Mepham featured a double-double from Rivera with 13 kills and 10 assists while Salce recorded 15 digs. Sophomore setter Nick Morale had 15 assists while Velasquez and senior outside hitter Ryan Plantin combined for 10 kills.

Rivera shined in his final high school season and is planning to continue his volleyball career on the collegiate level. He was named a top 50 player by Newsday before the season after recording 162 kills, 52 blocks, 98 digs and 22 aces as a junior.

The Red Devils received crucial senior leadership from Rivera and Salce as co-captains. Morales has also stepped up and will be counted on to lead the program following the graduation of a large senior class.

“He has definitely grown a lot,” Antonacci said of Morales. “He committed himself to the sport of volleyball which has definitely made him better.”

After starting the season with three straight losses, Freeport won five of its next seven matches culminating with a four set win against Valley Stream Central in which Rivera registered 17 kills and six blocks .

Antonacci said a big highlight of the season was a 3-2 win at Long Beach by set scores of 25-23, 20-25, 15-28, 25-15 and 15-11. The come-from-behind effort against a team from a big volleyball community featured 15 kills from Rivera, 10 digs by Velasquez and 22 assists by Morales.

While Freeport will have a mostly new roster next season, Antonacci sees potential for continued momentum as more boys in the district take up volleyball. The team has run some clinics with elementary and middle school students as well at the youth level with the Freeport Red Ravens.

“It’s a growing sport but it has definitely been a challenge here growing it,” Antonacci said. “My goal has been to raise the awareness of volleyball in the community and give kids an opportunity to play and to get better so that when it comes time down the road, we can be competitive on a year to year basis.”