Lady Knights Volleyball Crowned Long Island Champions
/By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com
The Elwood-John Glenn Knights defeated the Wheatley Wildcats, 3-1, to win this year’s Class B Long Island girls volleyball championship.
Taking the court at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood on Saturday, the Knights dominated in almost every aspect of the game. After taking the first two sets by scores of 25-21 and 25-18, the team stumbled dropping the third set, 25-20.
Knights head coach Nick Tremaroli said he pulled his team together after the third set to make some changes that were intended to keep the Wildcats off guard and halt any potential momentum swing.
“We changed up our offense a little bit,” Tremaroli said. “We pulled in a lot of short balls, and we had their defense moving a lot more.”
The changes worked to the Knights’ advantage as they were able to use their versatile attack en route to a 25-15 fourth-set win for the Long Island championship.
Tremaroli praised both junior Caroline Garretson for working the short court during the match, and the leadership of the team’s lone senior, Jennifer Breneisen.
“All together, as a team, they worked together to create one unit,” Tremaroli added.
Looking ahead to the state tournament, Tremaroli said team captains Mia Cergol and Cassie Vitale will play an important role in keeping the team motivated. “We are going strong every day,” he said. “I don’t want them to lose anything, but they are keeping their energy up and they’re excited to go for it. I don’t think they would want a day off if I gave it to them.”
The Knights head to Glens Falls, NY this weekend for the state championships, which are scheduled to begin with Class B pool play on Saturday at 3 p.m.