Volleyball Team Hoping For Another Playoff Run

With a talented young group of players taking to the court this fall, the Harrison volleyball team is hoping for big things in 2010.

Head Coach Candy Light is entering her 10th season, and this year's team is a little different than others she has had in the past. With five seniors gone from last year's team, the Huskies are made up completely of juniors including four returning players in Jenna Webb, Lily Stokoe, Jessica Segal and Betsy Sanchez.

"The four juniors have already taken leadership roles," said Light. "They have played together since the seventh grade, they are a very close knit-team, and they have good chemistry."

Stokoe and Segal may be the two most talented players on the team. They spent a portion of the offseason playing for the Hudson Valley team in the Empire State games. Other members of the team played club volleyball to make sure they stayed in shape this summer. So although the Huskies might be young, they are not lacking in experience.

"It is a young team but they have all been playing club ball so they are a lot higher quality of players than I have had in the past, even out of seniors," said Light.

Passing was a big weakness on recent teams, but already this season the coaches and players have been working hard to correct the issues before the season begins. 

"I think passing is always a weakness, every year we have that," said Harrison's Lily Stokoe. "This year you can tell already that it is probably one of our weak points."

"One of the biggest weaknesses is our first pass," said Light. "If we can get it to the target we will have a really good flow, but we tend to not always get our platform to the target."

Many are looking for a big year from new libero Alison Midollo, who enters her junior season with high expectations from her coaches and teammates alike.

"Her passing is very consistent in the games and that is something we need in the back row," said Stokoe.

"Allison is really going to step into the position this year," added Harrison's Jessica Segal. "We are going to need her."

Another new face is junior Elisa Santelia, who is looking to contribute in her first year as a regular player.

"Elisa is doing a great job as our middle two, she has been working really hard when we played summer league," said Stokoe. "She has more confidence and she now gets to the ball very quickly."

The Huskies are in a new league this year, but after a strong playoff run to end the 2009 season, the Huskies have high hopes for 2010.

"We try to take it one game at a time," said Light. "But I definitely think we can make it to the playoffs and win a few games once we get there."

The Huskies already won their first match of the season in a game against Mamaroneck at home 3-0, the team's next game is Tuesday at Rye Neck.