Kennedy Volleyball Tastes Revenge Against Floral Park

Revenge is sweet.

After losing to Floral Park in three sets last month, the Kennedy High volleyball team had been eyeing the calendar for when they'd get a chance to play them again.

That day came yesterday, and the Cougars responded by defeating visiting Floral Park in four sets.

"We were looking forward to this game the second we lost to them," Ben Hirschler said. "We came out really strong and definitely wanted to crush them."

With the victory, the Cougars now have the opportunity to tie Floral park for first place atop the conference standings. All they have to do is win their final game against Jericho tomorrow.

Brendan Mills had 14 kills yesterday and Brian O'Gorman contributed six kills and six blocks to lead the Cougars to the victory.

"We knew this was going to be a big match since we lost to them in three games last time," Mills said. "Unfortunately we took it four games this time but we still got the win."

After Floral Park (10-2) jumped out to an early 4-1 lead in game one, Kennedy (9-2) responded with five straight points behind slick serving by Jesse Forman to give them the lead. An ace from Ryan Pastuch and a block by O'Gorman expanded the Cougars lead to 20-11. After a block by Andrew Hirsch, Dylan Simonson served an ace to give Kennedy the win, 25-12.

In game two, Floral Park grabbed a quick 5-0 lead behind two aces by Will Wichart. Floral Park continued to expand their lead, and built it to 19-12 after a block by Jahan Michandani. A block from O'Gorman brought Kennedy within two at 21-19, but back-to-back kills by Joe Tangredi and Jason Cortapasso gave Floral Park a 25-21 win.

"We were a little too hyped in the beginning," Hirschler said. "And it affected us in the second game."

Kennedy certainly rebounded in game three. Two early kills by Mills gave them a 7-3 lead, and a kill by Hirschler would increase the lead to 13-9.

A  long rally ensued in the third game game that lasted for well more than a minute with both sides making exceptional plays to keep the volley going. A kill from Hirschler finally ended the point and it fired up the crowd as both the Kennedy bench and the spectators stood to their feet to applaud.

Kennedy held all the momentum after that rally and after a kill by Mills and a block by Jacob Tabman, they took the game by the score of 25-22.

"They came to play today," Kennedy coach Allen Ma said, "They know that this was huge. If we won this, then we had an opportunity to tie for the conference championship. So the kids really responded nicely."

Game three was another tight one. A kill from Mills gave Kennedy a 16-15 lead, and then Meshnick put one away to make it 18-17. The two teams then became tied at 20, but a tip from Forman and a kill from Meshnick helped the Cougars secure the game and the match, 25-20.

With the win, Kennedy splits the season series with Floral Park.

"Kennedy stepped up their game today," Floral Park coach Michael Spina said. "I think they wanted it a little bit more because of the revenge factor. They are the defending county champions so in my eyes they're the team to beat. Hopefully we'll see each other in the finals and settle the score."

The Cougars shoot for the top of the standings tomorrow when they host Jericho at 4:30 p.m.