Sports
Lady Eagles Volleyball Returns With Experience
Seven returning seniors expected to create a tight knit group with hopes to make the playoffs.
With a year's experience under the belts, the Lady Eagles girls volleyball team is ready to bring it on the courts. Stepping up to Division IV this season, the team can expect to face new challengers on their quest to make the playoffs.
Head Coach: Eric Ericksen
2010 Record: 6-8 in League V
Find out what's happening in Hauppaugewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Top Players
- Julide Giray, Libero
- Lindsay Alfano, senior
- Kat DeFelice, senior
Key Losses
Find out what's happening in Hauppaugewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
- Nina Annunziata, libero
Position Breakdown
The Hauppauge girls volleyball team is returning a stronger, more experienced team in 2011 after losing only three players out of 13.
Among the team's losses were its libero Nina Annunziata, who was anchored the Eagles' defensively. Senior Julide Giray, a four-year varsity veteran, will be stepping up to fill the position.
"It's not much of a difference from last year for me, I played mostly the back row," Giray said.
Anchoring the lineup with Giray will be three-year varsity starters Lindsay Alfano and Kat DeFelice.
"Those three are going to be the core of the team," the coach said.
Alfano was a force to be reckoned with on Eagles courts last year as a server, being one of the team's high scorers.
Expectations
The Eagles are going to be challenged to draw on their experience as they step up to Division IV this season, though are among one of the few of Hauppauge's varsity teams to stay in Class B.
"The biggest difference is our hitters, who were inexperienced last year, will be coming back with experience," said the coach.
Giray said many of the girls kept their skills up by playing in Long Island Volleyball Club over the summer. While the girls did not play together, she said it allowed them to keep up their skills and stay in shape for the fall season.
Yet, Ericksen said there are still a number of new faces on the team and a summer off comes with getting the team to communicate on the court.
"Getting the girls to play together is always a challenge," he said.
The girls are playing their first home game of the season against West Babylon on Tuesday.
Key Games
- Sept. 22 at Copiague, 4 p.m.
- Sept. 28 at Sayville, 3:30 p.m.
- Oct. 3 versus Deer Park, 5:45 p.m.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
