Lady Cougars Volleyball Takes Down Lynbrook in Straight Sets

The Kennedy girls volleyball team looks to be in top form, and it may have come at just the right time. The Lady Cougars (9-1) took down the Lynbrook Lady Owls (1-9) on Tuesday in straight sets on the road.

Senior Stephanie Bauman had a strong outing, collecting a game-high 12 kills. Junior Heather Hulkower added six kills, as well as two aces, to lead Kennedy to their sixth sweep of the season: 25-10, 25-5, and 25-19.

"That was probably our best match we've played in the last two or three weeks," Kennedy head coach Allen Ma said. "We have had a lot of injuries and the chemistry hasn't been there because girls have been in and out. Today was the first day we have had all of them in for awhile."

Kennedy jumped out to an 11-3 lead in the opening set and cruised to the early advantage. Bauman was not only strong at the net both on offense and defense, but her serving was on point as well. She helped the Cougars rally eight straight points on her service in the second set - her team conceded just five points in the same set. Lynbrook would fight back valiantly in the third set, but the Cougars took advantage of their opponents' mistakes and held on for the sweep.

"The match was good, but we started off a little slow though," Kennedy senior captain Sam Sagendorph said. "I just tried to keep everybody's energy up, so they all can focus in on the game."

Sagendorph missed a few games in October, but the team has welcomed her back in time for their showdown with first-place Wantagh (9-0) this week. The Cougars fell to the Lady Warriors on Oct. 5 in a five-set thriller.

"We want to beat them so bad. They are our toughest competition, but I think we can get them," Sagendorph said.

Lynbrook has battled tough competition all year, but has shown strides of improvement from the start. They have a large pool of young talent that may serve as a challenge for the next few years.

"Compared to the game we played against them the first time, I know what we are capable [of] and I don't think we showed that today," said Lynbrook head coach Natalie Hamilton after the loss. "The third game, we started to turn it around, but it was too late. I am hoping that the experience these girls have had this year, they will use it to their advantage next year. I think it will definitely show."

Lynbrook was led by junior Kasey Keller with four kills and three blocks and junior Annamarie D'Agostino with three kills and a block.

"The leadership was there for us and we stayed aggressive the whole time," Ma said. "They put the pressure on Lynbrook, who is a very good team and are well-coached. We had a lot of respect for them coming into it."

Along with the strong play from Bauman and Hulkower, Sagendorph contributed with three kills and 18 assists, sophomore Jamie Demmett had three kills and eight assists, and sophomore Taylor King added a game-high four aces.

"Our strength is definitely at the net. Both of our setters are back and playing at a high level now," Ma added. "Stephanie [Bauman] at the net is huge and is probably one of the best blockers in Nassau County right now."

Kennedy prepares to go on the road for the big rematch with Wantagh on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. and then to Roslyn on Friday also at 4:30 p.m.

Lynbrook faces off at West Hempstead on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. followed by a home match against Garden City on Friday at 4:30 p.m.