Tappan Zee Volleyball Aims For Big Season

The Tappan Zee High School volleyball teams opened their respective seasons Monday with a win and a loss—but both coaches are excited about the upcoming campaign.

The junior varsity squad, which defeated perennial power North Rockland last year for the county championship, swept Nanuet 2-0. The varsity contingent, hoping to rebound from last season's 4-12 mark but fielding just four seniors, showed a bit of tentativeness in losing 3-0 to Clarkstown South.

Coach Tara Nespoli, who guided the JV to the title in 2009, was given the task of turning around the varsity program

"I was expecting a little better [Monday], but we just didn't come to play," she said. "We're young and had a lot of nerves. I just think their heads got the best of them."

Nespoli is looking for a much better effort at Clarkstown North on Wednesday, she said.

The four seniors are Shawn Carey, Andrea Wedemeier, Dana Mingione and Winnie Danz. Also seen as certain to play a big role are junior six-foot middle hitters Val DiMuro and Devona Paul. And if any other help is needed, look for strong outside hitting from Kaitlyn Tracey and Angela Ricci.

Coach Kathy Allen, now guiding the highly respected JV, was especially pleased with her squad's teamwork in its win.

"I really want them to show teamwork," Allen said. "I don't want them getting their heads down no matter what happens. We're really strong and if we play like this for the rest of the season, only good things are going to happen."

Allen cited the exceptional performances of freshman middle hitter Kelly Connolly and outside hitter Amanda Carroll, a sophomore, in the team's sweep against Nanuet.