Girls Volleyball: Massapequa 2011 Season Preview

The Massapequa girls volleyball team has reached the pinnacle of Nassau County competition time and time again. The Chiefs won the County championship in their respective class each of the last 11 years.

“We have very small goals and would definitely like to be as competitive and play great as a team,” said head coach Carol Ann Habeeb-Kiel. “Our goals can then continue throughout the season and not be short-lived."

With rival Long Beach moving down to Class A due to realignment, Massapequa will not meet the team they defeated for the County championship last season. Despite that, the teams set on their schedule will be circling the dates they meet with the Chiefs.

“Every year, we have to gear up and start at 0-0 like anybody else in the county. We work on playing hard, smart and together. That’s our mindset,” added Habeeb-Kiel.

Last Season: 17-1 overall, Nassau County Class AA champions.

Coach: Carol Ann Habeeb-Kiel (24^th year).

Top Players:

• Joanne Josephson, senior, middle blocker
• Heather Sweeney, senior, right-side attack
• Erin Bies, senior, libero
• Kristen Marchisotto, senior, setter
• Lauren Van Buren, junior, middle hitter
• Kerry Purcell, senior, left/right-side attack

Position Breakdown: Massapequa graduated five seniors from last years’ team, including Ashley Gulbista and Samantha Berna. Looking to lead the team this season will be returning All-County senior Joanne Josephson, senior Heather Sweeney as well as senior libero Erin Bies, who both also earned All-County honors last season.

“A lot of seniors and upperclassmen will help because we’ve been together for awhile, so we are used to playing with each other,” said Josephson. “It’ll only help us do better in the long run.”

Key parts that also figure to contribute with be Kristen Marchisotto at setter and middle hitter Lauren Van Buren, who earned All-County status as just a sophomore last season. Senior Kelly Purcell is also one of seven seniors on the team who will play a key part this upcoming fall.

“As long as everyone puts in the 100-percent as they usually do, then we should be successful,” said Purcell. “It is great being a senior now and we love all of our other teammates here.”

Expectations: After topping Class AA in the Nassau County title game last year, Massapequa dropped the Long Island title game to Lindenhurst in four sets to close out the season with just one loss. With a experienced team back for the 2011 season, the team will be looking to continue their successful history.

“We are going to work hard and we are looking for a 12^th county championship and for an undefeated season, so we have to practice like we play to get there and keep going,” said Josephson.

Class AA will feature 14 teams in 2011 with the Chiefs set to have a varied look to their schedule this year. Top competition figures to be East Meadow, Baldwin, Farmingdale and Port Washington.

“We have great dynamics gelling with our team, great personalities and are very motivated and excited,” said Habeeb-Kiel. “We have a lot of new teams moving up, so with the unknown, we open up to new challenges.”

Key Games:

• September 15: Port Washington @ Massapequa, 5:45 p.m.
• September 19: Massapequa @ Farmingdale, 6:30 p.m.
• September 21: East Meadow @ Massapequa, 6:15 p.m.
• October 18: Farmingdale @ Massapequa, 5:45 p.m.
• October 20: Massapequa @ East Meadow, 4:30 p.m.
• October 25: Baldwin @ Massapequa, 5:45 p.m.