Athlete of the Week: Ben Adler

Ben Adler, a senior at Schreiber High School, has played on the varsity volleyball team for three years. Throughout those three years, he's felt some triumph, but also heartbreak.

This may seem odd. After all, Port Washington's volleyball team has been one of the best in Nassau. In fact, the team is now in the playoffs, challenging Long Beach on Wednesday afternoon. But that may be exactly the problem for Adler: Port isn't the top squad in the county – at least not yet.

Port did not beat Massapequa in last season's Nassau County finals, where it mattered most, but have come on strong this season. The Vikings beat the two-time defending county champions once already this year by a score of three sets to two. 

"It's the first time we've beaten them," said Adler, an outside hitter. "It is also the first time they've lost a league game in two seasons, the semi-finals of my sophomore year."

While the Vikings have lost to notable strong squads like Plainview-JFK and Syosset, it hasn't fazed Adler and company.

Team unity has been one of the team's strengths this season. In volleyball, "almost all aspects of the game are team-oriented," former boys assistant coach Steve Park said.

Adler and his teammates have bonded. Most of the Vikings were on the undefeated junior varsity team last season and effectively moved up to the varsity squad this year.

"All of them are a strong attribute to the team," the veteran varsity player said. "I truly commend them for turning on the fire, and not only entering the varsity level, but also bringing Nassau Volleyball to a whole new stage. "

With Adler playing with a new core of players, he's forced to take on more of a leadership role than in years past. It's his last shot at the big dance and the focus is, now more than ever, to come up victorious.

"In terms of being a leader, it means I have to take some more responsibility for my team as a mentor especially," Adler said. "Other than that, it's the same as any year. I'm here to do my job, and if its description includes leading the team, then that's what I'll do."