Kennedy Volleyball Champs Ready To Three-peat

While winning a high school sports title can be exciting to a young athlete, with repeated victories comes pressure and the expectation to continue winning.

However, this expectation is something the Kennedy High School boys varsity volleyball team is only too happy to continue meeting head-on.

The Cougars finished the regular season last year with a 10-2 record, earning a second straight conference championship and their second consecutive Nassau County championship.

"This is as far as we could go, so, needless to say, I was very happy with the result," coach Dennis Ringel said. "It takes a special group of young men to repeat as champions."

Tryouts for the upcoming season are available for all positions: setters (distributes the ball to hitters), outside hitters (complete all-around players), middle blockers (hit and block), opposites (right-side court hitters), and libero (defensive specialist).

Ringel discussed two returning players this year:

Senior Ben Hirschler, captain, is a 6'3" all-county outside hitter and was named to the all-tournament team for playoffs last year.

Senor captain Brian O'Gorman is a 6-foot-10 all-county middle blocker and was also named to the all-tournament team in the playoffs last year.

In addition, three other seniors have a chance at being a part of three straight county championships: Jacob Tabman (middle blocker), Dylan Simonson (libero), and Matt Lawner (libero).

"We really have the same goal that we've had the last few years–a county championship," Ringel said. "With the change in seasons from spring to fall, the winner of the county championships would now advance to the Long Island championship and states. Moreover, we have the goal of being the best team that we can be, reaching our potential, and if we do that, we have the chance to be very good."

Ringel also conveyed the pride he has in his team, and the sense of camaraderie he tries to instill in his players.

"We have a great group of young men who have a lot of talent," he said. "If they come together towards a common goal, and show a consistently improving work ethic, there's no telling what we can accomplish."

Click here to view the Cougars upcoming fall schedule.