Boys Volleyball Looks to A Strong Season

The Port Washington boys volleyball team looks to score big this season. Here's why.

Last Season: 12-5 Overall (lost in semi-finals to Massapequa)

Head Coach: Maria Giamanco (23rd season)

Standings: 3^rd (Conference I)

Key Players: Sr. OH Daniel Minicucci
Jr. MH Jong-Ho Byun
SR, Setter Kevin Nardone
SR, MH Paul Kagan

Position Breakdown: The Vikings may have some power hitters in the front, but they need someone in the back to get the passes to their setters. That player is Adam Cuthill. “He knows the court and has a lot of experience,” said Giamanco. Cuthill can play the libero position, but he will also spend some time on the weak side.

Once Cuthill passes to the front, it is up to the setters, Kevin Nardone and Matt Cacioppo to make the play happen. “Kevin Nardone’s setting has really, really come along,” said Giamanco. “Matt Cacioppo really runs a great offense. He makes good decisions and sees his hitters.”

If Dan Minicucci gets a good set, he can really put the ball away and score some points for the Vikings. “He is a great jumper, he blocks well and he reads the ball well,” said Giamanco. Because of his speed, he gets to his positions very quickly both when attacking and blocking.

The Vikings also have strong middles, giving their setters many options on the front line. Jong-Ho Byun and Paul Kagan will play opposite one another, giving the team power. Byun is a vocal leader, which is just as important as his physical play. “Hopefully, [Kagan] will score big for us in the middle,” Giamanco said.

Expectations:  Like every team, the Vikings are expecting to win this season and they are going to rely on the upperclassmen. “ I think we have some really great veterans that I think can lead us to some really successful times,” Giamanco said.

“They’ve tasted success and we’ve come very close to winning, winning everything and just fell a little short,” Giamanco said. “It’s the kind of thing that they want it so bad because they’ve been so close to it.”

Giamanco is hoping her team can use that as motivation and win a title this year.

2011 Schedule: Sept. 9 – Massapequa @ Port Washington, 5:00 p.m.; Sept. 12 - Port Washington @ Uniondale, 4:30 p.m., Sept. 14 - Port Washington @ Syosset, 4:45 p.m., Sept. 16 – Oceanside @ Port Washington, 4:30 p.m.; Sept. 20 – Calhoun @ Port Washington, 5:00 p.m.; Sept. 22 - Port Washington @ Farmingdale, 5:00 p.m.; Sept. 27 - Port Washington @ East Meadow, 4:45 p.m.; Oct. 5 – Herricks @ Port Washington, 4:45 p.m.; Oct. 11 - Port Washington @ Great Neck South, 5:00 p.m.; Oct. 14 - Port Washington @ Long Beach, 4:45 p.m.; Oct. 17 – Plainview JFK @ Port Washington, 4:30 p.m.; Oct. 19 - Port Washington @ Massapequa, 5:00 p.m.;  Oct. 21 – Uniondale @ Port Washington, 4:30 p.m.; Oct. 24 – Syosset @ Port Washington, 4:30 p.m.; Oct. 26 - Port Washington @ Oceanside, 4:45 p.m.; Oct. 31 – Farmingdale @ Port Washington, 4:30 p.m.

News and Notes: Last year the team lost to Massapequa in the semi- finals of the Class A championship. An untimely injury played a role in the demise of their season, but the team isn’t making any excuses.

Even before the start of the 2011 season, the team took it upon themselves to practice over the summer. There were multiple open gym sessions, and the team even played some beach volleyball.  That, will no doubt help the team tremendously.

All the practicing has helped not just their skills, but their chemistry as well.

For the second year in a row, there is more at stake here than just a conference championship. The newly established Boys State Championship has the Vikings setting their sights high, but first they are going to have to get past their Long Island foe, Massapequa.

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